A BBC radio presenter is said to be “in the mix” to take over Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s Strictly Come Dancing hosting duties. TV veteran Johnny Ball has revealed how his daughter, Zoe, is being considered to step into the role.
The dad addressed the ongoing rumours about his daughter’s future in TV with The Express. It comes after the 55-year-old presenter announced she would be stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 Saturday show, but reassured listeners she would “not be disappearing completely”.
She is being replaced by Emma Willis with her last show, having aired yesterday, Saturday December 20. But it could be that as one door closes another opens for Zoe.
Since Tess and Claudia announced their departure from the BBC ballroom competition, speculation has been swirling about who could replace the dynamic duo.
Zoe Ball marking her final BBC Radio 2 programme -Credit:Sarah Jeynes/BBC/BBC/PA Wire
This wouldn’t be the first time Zoe has appeared on the long-running show, after competing alongside her pro-dancer Ian Waite back in 2005. She then returned to the series in 2011, when she took over hosting the sister show, It Takes Two, from Claudia, a role she held for 10 years.
Speaking exclusively to the Express, Zoe’s dad Johnny revealed “people are coming to” the mum-of-two to discuss the coveted role. He said: “Nothing’s going to be decided until after Easter, but she’s in the mix, and people are coming to her, but it’s too early to say.
“I think she would love it, I think she would love the job because she took over from Claudia on It Takes Two, and if anything, she did a better job than Claudia.
“Claudia now is really the most powerful girl in television today, and rightly so because she’s a wonderful personality, she’s got a great wit, and she’s got a great presence, she’s wonderful.
It Takes Two’s Rylan Clark and Zoe Ball -Credit:Ray Burmiston
“But so could Zoe, she could do a lot of things, and she won’t be short of work if they don’t give her that job. If she wanted to do it, she’d be good at it, of course, she would.”
The news follows after Strictly Come Dancing winner Karen Carney revealed “the biggest honour” from the 2025 series. Karen and professional dancer Carlos Gu were crowned the winners of the 23rd series of the BBC dance competition programme on Saturday night after defeating West End actress Amber Davies and internet star George Clarke.
The emotional final also marked the last time presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly hosted the live Saturday show after fronting it together for a decade.
In a post shared on Instagram, which featured a selection of photographs from the night, including Amber and George’s professional dance partners, Nikita Kuzmin and Alexis Warr, Karen praised the “incredible” finalists.
She said: “It has been so incredibly special being on this journey with you right until the end. Last night was a celebration and I’m so grateful we could experience that together – you were all incredible.
“Thank you for being some of the loveliest, most caring people I’ve ever met. From start to finish sharing the dance floor with you has been the biggest honour. I can’t believe that was our last time dancing together but I’m so thankful I have friends for life in all of you.”
Karen Carney’s win made Strictly history as she became the first footballer to lift the Glitterball trophy, while her partner Carlos became the first gay and Asian man to claim the title.