Strictly Come Dancing host contender would "love" to take over from Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly

Zoe Ball has finally responded to the growing rumours she is a shoo-in to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as the next host of Strictly Come Dancing.

Last year, the nation was shocked to learn that the presenting duo were hanging up their sparkles and would be leaving the show, with the 2025 series marking the last time they'd appear on Strictly.

In a statement shared on Instagram, the duo wrote: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.

"We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time."

Since then, a flurry of names have been thrown into the mix, from the likes of Alex Jones and Bradley Walsh to Rylan Clark and Zoe Ball, the latter two who have previously presented Strictly's companion series.

Now, in an interview with The Sunday Times, the former It Takes Two host said of taking over the helm: "Obviously, there's a part of me that would love to do it. But I will still be watching, whoever hosts."

Speaking of the show, 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."

At the moment, no one has been confirmed to take over as hosts for Strictly Come Dancing, with the BBC previously confirming that plans for the 2026 run would be confirmed in due course.

Kate Phillips, the Chief Content Officer at the BBC, previously appeared on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast and said that casting the new presenters wouldn't be taking place until the new year.

She said: "In terms of the process next, the production team, BBC Studios and Sarah James [Executive Producer] and her team, they are concentrating on getting two shows out a week so we haven't got time at the moment to start doing any screen tests or chemistry testing.

"We've got time so I don't think we'll really be looking at it until the New Year because we want to make sure we deliver a great Strictly series. Having said that, yes – my inbox has been inundated.

"I can't say names obviously but it is one of the best gigs in television so we have had so many people who are keen to be considered which is great. We'll think carefully about next steps on it but yes, there's no room where we all go."

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

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