A prominent BBC personality has publicly thrown her hat into the ring to become a host of the beloved dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing. This comes in the wake of the high-profile departures of long-standing presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman last year.
The Race to Replace Tess and Claudia
Since the iconic presenting duo stepped down, speculation has been rife about who will take over the reins of the Saturday night staple. A host of well-known names have been linked to the coveted role, including comedians like Alan Carr and TV personalities such as Angela Scanlon and Christine Lampard.
Now, former Strictly contestant and ex-It Takes Two host Zoe Ball has made her interest clear. The 55-year-old, who left her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in December 2025, told The Times that the presenting job is "all anyone talks to me about."
"At the moment I am in mourning for Tess and Claud because I love those girls," Ball said. "I think everyone’s name is being thrown into the mix." Describing the show as a "beast," she added: "Obviously there’s part of me that would love to do it. But I will still be watching, whoever hosts it."
Ball's Deep Strictly History
Zoe Ball is no stranger to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom. She first appeared as a celebrity contestant back in 2005, finishing in a respectable third place with professional partner Ian Waite. The series was ultimately won by cricketer Darren Gough.
Her connection to the franchise deepened significantly when she hosted the companion show, It Takes Two, for an impressive ten years from 2011 to 2021. Reflecting on her departure from that role, she previously stated it was a "hard decision" and that she would "miss it so much."
Her recent exit from Radio 2, where she was succeeded by Emma Willis, has further fuelled rumours that she may be clearing her schedule for a major new project.
Chemistry Tests and Potential Co-Hosts
The search for the new presenting team is being taken very seriously by the BBC. A TV insider revealed to The Sun that the corporation is conducting a series of chemistry tests with potential candidates.
"They will go to a studio and be put into different pairs to see who works together best," the source explained. "It could be two women or two men paired, or a mix. They will ultimately choose whoever has the best chemistry in each partnership."
When asked about who she could imagine co-hosting with, Ball suggested several names. "Rylan would kill it. No one’s mentioned Vern (as in Vernon Kay)! There’s a great variety," she said, while noting that others like Alan Carr and Amanda Holden had previously ruled themselves out.
The future of the Strictly Come Dancing presenting lineup remains one of the most talked-about topics in British television, with fans eagerly awaiting an official announcement from the BBC.
