Zoe Ball announced her departure from BBC Radio 2 during her final show, which aired on Saturday. The 55-year-old presenter, who has been a prominent figure on the station, confirmed she would be stepping away from her afternoon slot after previously announcing her intention to leave the breakfast show. Despite her exit, Ball reassured listeners that she would return for special events in the future.
During her farewell broadcast, Ball was joined by fellow presenter Romesh Ranganathan, who humorously compared her departure to a “death in the family.” He hinted at Ball’s potential future plans, alluding to speculation that she could take over hosting duties for the popular dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing, following the announcement that current hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman would leave after the 2025 series.
Ranganathan began questioning Ball about her reasons for leaving but playfully diverted the conversation by mentioning “Sally on traffic.” Ball responded with a light-hearted comment, avoiding specifics about her next steps, stating, “Sally and I have been in love with each other for a long time and we’ve decided we can’t possibly work in the same building anymore because the magnetism is too much.”
The speculation surrounding Ball’s potential role on Strictly Come Dancing intensified when her name was included in a shortlist of ten candidates reportedly considered by the BBC to succeed Daly and Winkleman. The full list of potential hosts includes notable names such as Bradley Walsh, Alex Jones, Alan Carr, Rylan Clark, Rob Rinder, Holly Willoughby, Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond, and Angela Scanlon.
According to a source cited by The Sun, the BBC is undertaking a significant effort to find replacements for the duo. The process is expected to involve chemistry tests among the shortlisted candidates to determine the best pairings for the show. “They will go to a studio and be put into different pairs to see who works together best,” the insider explained. “It could be two women or two men paired, or a mix. They will ultimately choose whoever has the best chemistry in each partnership.”
As the entertainment world watches closely, Ball’s future remains a topic of great interest, with many eager to see whether she will take the reins of one of the UK’s most beloved television shows.
