Zoe Ball’s Light-Hearted Take on Not Becoming a Strictly Come Dancing Presenter
Zoe Ball has taken a humorous approach to not being selected as a new presenter for Strictly Come Dancing, joking that she won’t need cosmetic surgery. This week, the BBC confirmed that Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe will be the new hosts of the popular show. The announcement came after months of speculation following the surprising news last year that Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly would be stepping down.
Zoe, 55, was initially seen as a strong contender for the role due to her extensive presenting experience, her time competing on Strictly in 2005, and her work on the spin-off show It Takes Two. However, earlier this month, she revealed that she was “grieving” after missing out on the opportunity.
Despite this, in a recent interview, it seems as though Zoe is now relieved to no longer be in the running for the position. She told The Sun: “I screen tested with Josh and he is hilarious. He is going to be so good.” She also praised Emma and Johannes, saying: “Emma is just gorgeous and I love Johannes, so they are going to ace it. And I don’t have to have a facelift, so I’m quite happy.”
New Hosts Receive Positive Feedback
The new presenter line-up has received positive reactions from fans and industry insiders alike. Strictly’s head judge, Shirley Ballas, recently shared her views on the new team, telling the press: “I think the BBC has really got this right,” joking that Strictly has had a “facelift.”
When the news of Emma, Johannes, and Josh hosting Strictly was announced, Zoe was among those celebrating the announcement in the comments under the Instagram video. She wrote: “CREW. congrats Emma Jojo and Josh. You’re gonna ROCK IT 🪩🪩🪩♥️♥️♥️.” A fan named Gemma responded: “You’re a class act, Zoe,” while another, Ellie, said: “You are such a gracious and kind person for being so supportive and encouraging. I can’t lie, I was desperately hoping you would get this 🥺 Sending lots of love.”
Zoe’s Supportive Words for the New Presenters
In the same interview, Zoe added that she has already messaged each of the new presenters individually, emphasizing that they are “going to be brilliant.” She explained: “You know what? It needed fresh energy, and you can totally see why that’s happening. It’s like, move forwards, and that is great.”
Emma, who has previously presented on shows like Big Brother and The Voice, said that “stepping into the Strictly ballroom is something I can’t quite comprehend.” Johannes, who has been a pro dancer on the show since 2018, expressed that being chosen as one of the hosts “is beyond anything I ever imagined.” Meanwhile, The Last Leg comedian Josh Widdicombe shared that he was “giddy with excitement, honoured and a little overawed to be given the chance to step into the biggest shoes in television.”
What’s Next for Strictly Come Dancing?
Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year. Fans are eagerly awaiting the new season, with the addition of Emma, Johannes, and Josh as hosts generating a lot of excitement.
If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can get in touch with the co.uk entertainment team by emailing [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145, or visiting their Submit Stuff page. The team would love to hear from you.
Stay Updated on Your Favorite TV Shows
Comments
Add as a Preferred Source on Google
Add as preferred source
Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to *’s TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can’t get enough of.
