Zoe Ball nurses ‘rejection’ after missing out on Strictly Come Dancing host job

Zoe Ball has revealed she is officially out of the running for the role of Strictly Come Dancing host following the exit of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The radio presenter and former It Takes Two host, 55, revealed on her podcast, Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball, that she has processed the result, jokingly admitting she’s nursing the “rejection”.

The news comes after The Sun reported that Emma Willis has been confirmed as the next presenter, with her co-host yet to be announced.

What did Zoe Ball say?

Speaking to Jo Wiley about the Strictly hosting job, Zoe revealed: “I didn’t get it, but it’s OK.”

She joked: “I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.”

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There are multiple names in the running for the roles, including Angela Scanlon, Alex Jones and Rylan Clark, who have all been tipped to join Emma Willis.

Hinting at who might be the confirmed hosts, Zoe continued: “No, I didn’t get it, but I tell you, what, if who I think has got it, we’re in safe hands and our new hosts are going to be fabulous. I’m so thrilled for them, and hopefully at a later date, we’ll be able to talk about them in more detail.”

Other names in the mix

According to reports, the BBC has been carrying out extensive chemistry tests in order to find the perfect replacements for Tess and Claudia. Alongside the previously mentioned names, Miranda Hart and Fleur East are said to have been ruled out.

Meanwhile, Alan Carr, Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond and Holly Willoughby are all said to have been approached but ruled themselves out.

“I was so chuffed to even be in the mix,” said Zoe. “There were some pretty amazing people who didn’t even make it into the mix.

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“So 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. And I’m so thrilled for the gang that has got it.

“I think there’s been so many eyes on this whole process, everyone’s quite relieved now that a decision has been made and the right ­decision has been made.”

The BBC revealed the line-up of returning Strictly professionals last week, as well as confirming that all four judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas, will be returning. The new hosts have been said to be “confirmed in due course”.