Zoe Ball Shares Her Reaction to Missing Out on Strictly Come Dancing Hosting Role
Zoe Ball has opened up about her feelings after missing out on the coveted role of hosting Strictly Come Dancing. The 55-year-old radio presenter expressed relief that she didn’t get the job, joking that she “doesn’t need to have a facelift now.” She revealed that she had screen tested with Josh Widdicombe, who will be one of the new hosts alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe.
The trio will take over the ballroom dance competition in September, following the departure of long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman last year. BBC bosses invited several stars, including Zoe, Sara Cox, and Rylan Clark, for chemistry tests before making their final decision.
During an appearance at The Podcast Show 2026 in London, Zoe spoke about her experience. She mentioned that she and co-star Jo Whiley both dislike being on camera, which is why they prefer working in radio. She added that as they age, they often ask for dimmer lights when filming.
A Humorous Take on the Situation
Zoe joked about not needing a facelift, saying it was a relief that she wouldn’t be starring in front of the camera. She praised the new hosts, stating that Emma is “gorgeous” and Johannes is “fabulous.” She also noted that Josh is “hilarious” and will do well in the role.
Despite missing out on the gig, Zoe said she is “thrilled” for the people who got the role and insisted the BBC made the “right decision.” She shared her experience on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, where she admitted she had gone through the “seven stages of grief and rejection.”
She added: “I was so chuffed to even be in the mix. There were some pretty amazing people who didn’t even make it into the mix. I made it in the mix, and I had a really fun time having one last little play at a show that I love and adore.”
The New Hosts and What to Expect
After much speculation, Emma, Josh, and Johannes were announced as the new hosts, marking a change from the traditional two-person team that has been in place for 22 years. The BBC kept the selection process under wraps, requiring all participants to sign strict NDAs.
Nine shortlisted stars were invited to a top-secret location in London for full-scale dress rehearsals with a judging panel and live band. Among those confirmed to be in the callbacks were Rylan, Emma, Tom Allen, and Alex Jones.
The BBC has given fans a glimpse of what to expect in the 24th series of the popular show. Returning professional dancers include Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, Vito Coppola, Julian Caillon, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Alexis Warr, and Kai Widdrington.
They will be joined by some professional dancers who are yet to be announced.
