Ball's New Chapter
Zoe Ball Moves to Greatest Hits Radio Following Overlooked Strictly Come Dancing Role
Anonymous
Zoe Ball is set to join Greatest Hits Radio after being overlooked for a presenting role on the new-look Strictly Come Dancing, which will be hosted by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe. The 55-year-old broadcaster, who stepped back from the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show about a year ago, is expected to start her new job in the autumn and will follow in the footsteps of former BBC radio presenters Simon Mayo and Ken Bruce who have moved to the commercial station. Reports say Greatest Hits Radio had wanted Ball for some time, and that she moved quickly to take the opportunity once it became clear she would not get the Strictly slot. Ball has described her disappointment in lighthearted terms, saying she was “in the mix” for the Strictly role and joking that she went through stages of “grief and rejection,” while also expressing relief and happiness for the successful TV hosts. The transition also reflects her long-standing preference for radio, alongside her experience hosting Strictly’s spin-off It Takes Two for a decade.
Key Points
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In her follow-up comments on the Dig It podcast, Ball said she was “so chuffed to even be in the mix,” adding that she enjoyed “one last little play at a show that I love and adore,” and noted that “so many eyes” were on the process and “everyone’s quite relieved now that a decision has been made and the right decision has been made.”
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Ball also framed her reaction in a more direct way, telling Jo Whiley that “if who I think has got it, we’re in safe hands and our new hosts are going to be fabulous,” while saying she was “so thrilled” for them and hoped to discuss them “in more detail” later.
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The coverage highlights Ball’s long BBC track record: she was described as the first female host of both the Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows.
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Beyond her radio presenting, Ball’s Strictly connection is noted in detail: she previously appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in series three (2005), finishing third with professional partner Ian Waite—later going on to host Strictly’s sister show It Takes Two for 10 series between 2011 and 2020.
5
Reporting adds context to her departure from the BBC: Ball ended her near six-year stint as BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host in late 2023 before stepping away and subsequently pursuing the Strictly presenting role.
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