Cliff Notes – Strictly favourite to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirms interest

Zoe Ball expressed her interest in hosting Strictly Come Dancing, calling it “the best Saturday night show” and acknowledging the appeal of the role.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced their departure after 21 years, stating it was time to “pass over the baton” and surprising many fans with their mid-season exit.
Sources indicate that Winkleman is exploring new opportunities, while both hosts had a pact to leave together, making their exit a coordinated decision.

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced their shock departure from Strictly Come Dancing – now the search is on for a replacement (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)

Zoe Ball has confirmed that like lots of TV stars she would be interested in taking up the Strictly Come Dancing mantle from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after they stepped down from the show.

The BBC Radio 2 host was asked point blank by Jo Whiley on their Dig It podcast whether she would be interested in hosting the Saturday night primetime Entertainment slot.

‘I think everyone would like to do that job,’ the 54-year-old said, adding: ‘It’s an amazing job. It’s the best Saturday night show… Whoever takes over will have the best gig in the world.’

Zoe would be an obvious choice for the hosting role, as she presented Strictly’s spin-off show It Takes Two for 10 years until her 2021 departure, and speaks passionately about the competition, having danced her socks off in 2005 as a contestant.

Announcing their departure following ‘rumblings’ about a shake-up on the show, Tess and Claudia – who will host their last show on Christmas Day – said in a joint video: ‘After 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton.’

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While BBC bosses have until next series to find their new hosts after Claudia and Tess’s shock exit announcement – which came on a random weekday mid-season – it seems Zoe is none the wiser as to who this might be.

Zoe said that she – like many other presenters – would ‘like’ the job of hosting Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

‘I thought you were an insider and you knew these things,’ Jo teased, while Zoe admitted: ‘No I don’t know anything!’

Complimenting Tess and Claudia for ‘breaking glass ceilings’ as two women at the helm of a Saturday night entertainment show two decades ago, Zoe said they’ve made the show ‘fantastic’.

‘They’re such a brilliant double act,’ she said, adding: ‘I love the fact they’ve owned this story and they’re going together. They’ve decided now is the time to do that. It was such a shocker for everyone, we were like, “What!”‘

Jo then agreed their exit was ‘a powerful move’ while Zoe suggested Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham would be a brilliant next host.

Zoe competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005, and she presented It Takes Two for a number of years. She’s pictured here alongside the late Bruce Forsyth and fellow contestant Patsy Palmer (Picture: Tony Ward/TV Times/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

The radio star, and former It Takes Two presenter, quit her Radio 2 breakfast show in December (Picture: Neil Mockford/GC Images)

As for Jo, all her eggs are in Alan Carr’s basket as his memorable turn on BBC show Celebrity Traitors continues to gain him devoted fans, but with Zoe as the ‘main’ presenter.

Shying away from the prospect, Zoe admitted her ‘ship may have passed’ and offered up Alan’s best pal Amanda Holden as a suitable co-host.

‘With Amanda, glamour puss… She’d be amazing. Everyone’s going to want that job. There will be queues going around the block,’ Zoe said.

This glittering new vacancy in the BBC comes after Zoe quit her £950,000 a year job hosting the Radio 2 Breakfast Show following the death of her mum Julia, so she could be around more for her two children.

Zoe shares Nelly, 15, and Woody, 25, with her ex-husband Fatboy Slim – real name Norman Cook – who she is still on friendly terms with.

The TV star, who was the first ever woman to present the Radio 2 breakfast show, left in December after six years hosting the primetime early morning slot, but remains on the station.

‘After six incredible years on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it’s time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family. It’s been a privilege,’ Zoe announced in November.

‘I’m excited to embrace my next chapter, including being a mum in the mornings, and I can’t wait to tune in on the school run!’

As for Strictly, one insider has told the Daily Mail that with Winkleman’s career ‘moving up a level’ – likely from her iconic appearances on The Traitors – she is reportedly ready to explore opportunities outside of the show, even going as far as ITV.

According to sources, Daly left with Winkleman as the two had decided to move on together whenever it happened.

The insider said: ‘There’s been talk of some very interesting projects which [Winkleman] simply can’t commit to because of Strictly, as it takes up a third of the year, so she felt that to maximise her ambition, she had to leave Strictly.

‘Leaving the show has been on Tess’s mind for a few years but Claudia leaning towards leaving made it an easier decision.’

The source added: ‘They always had a pact to leave together and they wanted to adhere to that. They come as a pair, when it comes to Strictly, so going out together made perfect sense.’

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