HomeWorldUSALatin AmericaEuropeAsiaAfricaTV ShowsShowbizTravelLifestyleOpinionSciencePoliticsHealthSportsTechEntertainmentBusiness
Entertainment May 12, 2026

Zoe Ball ‘grieving’ after failing to get Strictly Come Dancing job

Zoe Ball ‘grieving’ after failing to get Strictly Come Dancing job
Zoe Ball close up
Zoe Ball was strongly rumoured to have got the Strictly role – but has this is not the case (Picture: PA)

‘I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.

Zoe Ball on It Take Two
Despite her It Takes Two experience, she won’t be dancing on the ballroom floor (Picture: BBC)

‘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,’ she said, according to The Sun.

Zoe is not the only major media personality dealing with disappointment after the national broadcaster conducted a series of screen and chemistry tests to determine the final duo.

The Sun has claimed  Angela Scanlon, Alex Jones and Rylan Clark have also lost out, as well as actress and comic Miranda Hart and radio DJ Fleur East.

Rylan Clark
Other stars such as Rylan Clark have also lost the job, according to The Sun (Picture: BBC/BBC Studios)
Josh Widdicombe
Others, like Josh Widdicombe, are still in with a chance to join Emma Willis on the flagship show (Picture: Getty)

This leaves names like Alison Hammond and Josh Widdecombe – who is understood to have had an unexpectedly impressive audition – in the running.

The source who revealed Big Brother star Emma has landed the role, shared that ‘household name’ was seen as a ‘safe pair of hands’ and will ‘do the job justice’.

The insider continued: ‘She’s incredibly popular with the public too and will suit the role down to a tee. She was absolutely thrilled to have been offered the job.’

‘Strictly is one of the biggest shows on television and to be trusted with the new era is something Emma feels incredibly proud and humbled by.’

Emma Willis on the Strictly Come Dancing background
It’s Emma Willis has landed the first hosting job (Picture: Getty / BBC)

The BBC has told Metro that plans for Strictly 2026 will in due course.

Once both co-hosts are announced, all that will remain is to discover who the new professional dancers are closer to the show’s return in autumn.

The recruitment of new pros comes after the brutal cull of five beloved dancers – Karen Hauer, Gorka Márquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk, and Michelle Tsiakkas.

So far, the BBC all four judges will be returning alongside the rest of the pros.

One thing is for certain, with It Takes Two also reportedly taking on a new format, the flagship series will be very different come September to what we’ve been used to.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Share this article

UMVA MAG

UMVA Mag is your trusted source for breaking news, in-depth analysis, and compelling stories from around the world. Covering politics, business, technology, entertainment, sports, health, science, and more — we deliver journalism that matters.

Independent, Accurate, Unbiased
24/7 Breaking News Coverage
Trusted by Millions Worldwide