ZOE Ball is the first big star to throw her name in the hat for Tess and Claudia’s Strictly presenting job after the pair both quit the show.
The presenters stunned the nation last week by announcing they would step down from hosting the show at the end of the series.
Zoe, 54, revealed her wishes on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, as she responded to the news that Tess Daly. 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 54, were both leaving Strictly.
The former It Takes Two host explained the role would be “amazing” and said “everyone” wants the job.
Zoe explained: ‘I thought it was such a shocker for everyone – we were all like, what?
“My phone was going beep, beep! ‘What? Why did you not tell me this was happening?’ It’s like, ‘I didn’t know! Why would I know?”
Zoe praised the presenters and added: “I just want to say to the girls, bravo. I think they’re both fab and they’re going to be a tough act to follow on that show.”
However, when her co-host Jo asked her if she would like to take over their role, Zoe replied: “I think everyone would like to do that job.
“It’s an amazing job. It’s the best Saturday night show.
“When I’m watching Ellie dancing with Vito or Lewis and Katya, it still brings so much joy to people’s lives.”
She added: ‘Everyone’s going to want that job. There will be queues going around the block.’
Zoe’s revelation makes her the first star to publicly reveal her passion in replacing the strictly pair.
Tess has hosted the show since it launched in 2004, while Claudia joined the main programme in 2014 after a stint on It Takes Two.
But, Zoe also has a long history with Strictly.
She hosted It Takes Two for a decade until 2021, and competed on Strictly herself back in 2005.
Partnered with Ian Waite, Zoe finished runner-up, which was an excellent result for the pair and allows Zoe to understand the show better.
BBC bosses were blindsided by Tess and Claudia’s departure, with only a small number of people in the TV industry made aware of their intentions.
It’s understood they secretly filmed their exit video weeks ago — and released it mid-series so as not to overshadow the eventual winner.
Their last show will be on Christmas Day. A source said: “Claudia and Tess have known they were leaving Strictly since last year. They felt like it was their time to go.
“They discussed this privately and agreed they would walk away together, but kept it firmly under wraps.”
Their exit comes after the BBC show was hit by a string of recent scandals involving its professional dancers and behind-the-scenes conduct.
Plummeting viewing figures and “underwhelming” line-ups even prompted betting giants to offer odds earlier this year on this being the show’s final outing.
In a statement to her fans, 56-year-old Tess said it was “time to say goodbye” and described Strictly as “about joy, celebration, and bringing people together”.
Tess also paid tribute to her co-host, adding: “To my beloved Claud – what an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you.
“You’re one of a kind, and I’ll treasure every giggle, every live show, and every backstage moment we’ve shared.”
Claudia called the show “the greatest relationship of my career”.
Speculation is already at fever pitch as to just who will replace the pair on the much-loved show.
And a number of names have already started doing the rounds, from former show stars to a Celebrity Traitors icon.
