TV and radio presenter Zoe Ball has said she would love to present Strictly Come Dancing.
Ball has been linked with one of the two vacant presenting roles on the BBC One dancing programme following the departures of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of the latest series in December.
Ball told The Sunday Times: “Obviously, there’s part of me that would love to do it. But I will still be watching, whoever hosts it.”
Ball hosted Strictly’s sister show It Takes Two for 10 series between 2011 and 2020.
She appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in series three in 2005, when she finished in third place with her professional dance partner Ian Waite.
Ball also stepped in as the main show’s host for a number of weeks in 2014 to replace Winkleman, who had to take time off to look after one of her children.
(L-R) Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly bowed out as Strictly Come Dancing hosts in December
Ball left her BBC Radio 2 show in December last year and was replaced by Emma Willis.
Speaking about Strictly, Ball added: “This is the hilarious thing, it’s all anyone talks to me about.
“At the moment, I am in mourning for Tess and Claud because I love those girls. I think everyone’s name is being thrown into the mix.
“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.”
Ball said she has not spoken to the BBC about the role, and none of her friends have either, but she added she would like either Rylan Clark or Vernon Kay as her co-host.
Source: Press Association