Zoe Ball admits she would love to host Strictly Come Dancing

The 55-year-old who recently stepped down from her Saturday afternoon slot on BBC Radio 2, has been among the alleged big names in the running to take on presenting duties of the BBC dance competition, along with the likes of Alan Carr, Alex Jones, and Bradley Walsh.

Zoe is no stranger to the Strictly family, as not only has she taken part as a celebrity on the show (she was partnered with Ian Waite in 2005 for the third series), but she also took over from Claudia on spin-off series It Takes Two back in 2011, until 2021.

But aside from being in “mourning” for Tess and Claudia because she “loves those girls”, Zoe has shared how she really feels about potentially taking on one of the biggest TV shows in the UK.

Zoe Ball says she would ‘love’ to present Strictly Come Dancing

She told The Times: “I love that show. I loved performing on it with Ian Waite, who is one of my best buddies.

“It’s so joyful — and it’s live telly, which is another thing that people don’t give the girls enough credit for. That show is a beast. Whoever gets to do it has a tough act to follow.”

Commenting on if it’s her time to shine in the Strictly ballroom once more, Zoe added: “Obviously there’s part of me that would love to do it. But I will still be watching, whoever hosts it.”

In December, rumours of Strictly “chemistry tests” dominated headlines, but Zoe admitted “she hasn’t had a conversation yet, and nor has anyone else in her WhatsApp groups”.

Discussing the future Strictly hosts, she said: “There are so many people who would be brilliant on it.

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“Alan [Carr] and Amanda [Holden] have ruled themselves out, but you don’t know.

“Rylan would kill it. No one’s mentioned Vern[on Kay]!

“There’s a great variety.”

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Zoe, who shares two children with ex-husband Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim, continued: “Oh, who knows. I’ve learnt that if things are going to come to you, they come to you.

“If going on the show with Ian, and ten years presenting It Takes Two, if that’s my time on [Strictly], that’s all right – I’ve had a really great adventure.”

Who do you hope will be presenting the next series of Strictly Come Dancing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.