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Zoe Ball has officially become the first star to publicly declare interest in stepping into the Strictly Come Dancing spotlight, following the shock announcement that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are leaving the show.
The veteran broadcaster, who previously hosted the beloved spin-off It Takes Two, revealed on her podcast with Jo Whiley that she would love to return to the Strictly family, this time in the main presenting role.
Speaking candidly, Zoe said it would be “amazing” to take on the job that Tess and Claudia made their own for more than a decade.
“I think everyone would like to do that job,” she admitted when asked directly by Jo if she’d want it. “It’s an amazing job, it’s the best Saturday night show. When I’m watching Ellie dancing with Vito or Lewis and Katya and Alex and JoJo… they’re just so amazing. It still brings so much joy to people’s lives, that show. Whoever takes over will have the best gig in the world.”
Her comments come just days after bookies placed Zoe among the top favourites to replace the long-serving hosts, who announced earlier this month that they would step down after the current series.
Zoe’s Strictly history makes her a natural contender. She first joined the It Takes Two spin-off in 2011, replacing Claudia Winkleman when she moved over to co-host the main show. Zoe remained in the role for nine years before passing the baton to Rylan Clark and Janette Manrara in 2021.
Her mix of warmth, humour and insider knowledge of the show quickly made her a fan favourite. Many Strictly viewers have already voiced support for her return, with one fan writing on X (formerly Twitter): “Zoe Ball back on Strictly would be perfect, she’s got the sparkle, the energy, and she knows the show inside out.”
Another posted: “I’d love Zoe to host Strictly! She was brilliant on It Takes Two and she has that genuine affection for the contestants that makes it feel special.”
Tess Daly, who has fronted Strictly Come Dancing since its launch in 2004, and Claudia Winkleman, who joined full-time in 2014, announced earlier this month that they would leave the show to pursue other projects. The news stunned fans and sparked huge speculation about who might replace them, with other names like Rylan Clark, Vernon Kay, and Emma Willis also being tipped as potential candidates.
While the BBC has yet to comment on any replacement plans, Zoe’s openness about her interest is likely to put her high on the list of serious contenders.
The 54-year-old shared the revelation on her Dig It podcast with fellow broadcaster Jo Whiley this week, while reacting to the bombshell news that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were leaving.
Her return would also be a full-circle moment, reuniting her with a show that played a major role in cementing her as one of British television’s most beloved presenters.
As Zoe herself put it, Strictly Come Dancing continues to be a show that “brings joy to people’s lives”, and with Tess and Claudia’s departure marking the end of an era, fans may well be hoping that Zoe Ball’s next big dance could be a return to the ballroom.
