‘Everyone’s going to want that job’: Zoe Ball shares thoughts on returning to world of Strictly
Could former breakfast show host Zoe Ball be one of the stars in contention to present Strictly after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman depart the show?
Ball, who previously hosted spinoff show It Takes Two, has been one of the names repeatedly mentioned when it comes to speculation about Tess and Claudia’s replacements.
And in a recent episode of her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, the broadcaster touched upon the rumours.
When asked whether she would like to do the job, she replied, “I think everyone would like to do that job,” praising the dance competition for “bringing so much joy to people’s lives.”
She added: “Everyone’s going to want that job. There will be queues going around the block.”
Ball was a contestant on the third series and has also stepped in to host the main show while Winkleman was on leave.
Read the full story below…
Huge BBC star throws hat in ring for Strictly host job
A huge BBC star has publicly expressed an interest in replacing Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Zoe Ball made the admission during her Dig It podcast episode with Jo Whiley, released on Wednesday (29 October). When asked whether she would like to do the job, the BBC Radio 2 broadcaster replied, “I think everyone would like to do that job,” praising the dance competition for “bringing so much joy to people’s lives.” She added: “Everyone’s going to want that job. There will be queues going around the block.” Ball was a contestant on the third series and went on to host It Takes Two. She also stepped in to host the main show while Winkleman was on leave.
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 17:46
Amy Dowden thanks fans for support after second mastectomy
Amy Dowden has shared a photo from her hospital bed after undergoing a second mastectomy.
The Strictly professional previously underwent a mastectomy in 2023 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Earlier this week, she assured fans that this second surgery was not related to a new cancer diagnosis.
“They’re confident that all will go well and I can expect a straightforward recovery,” she said.
In her first social media post since the surgery, Amy thanked her followers “for all the messages and love”, before confirming that her “surgery went well” and revealing that she’s been focusing on “sleep and resting up” since.
“Hubby & Family have been looking after me and the besties have turned up with the goods and nothing is stopping us from watching The Traitors,” she added. “Keeping the tradition going.”
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 17:05
Could Holly Willoughby be the new Strictly presenter?
Is Holly Willoughby in line to take one of the biggest jobs in television?
The former This Morning host’s name keeps cropping up in conversations about who could replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman when they leave Strictly Come Dancing behind.
Now bookmakers William Hill have suspended betting on the next presenter, following “a flurry of bets” for Holly.
“We’ve suspended betting on the next Strictly presenter after some seriously strong support for Holly Willoughby this morning,” spokesperson Lee Phelps said.
“We initially slashed her odds from 3/1 to Evens, but the money continued to flood in and we have now taken the market down.
“As the rumour mill continues to turn, this story will be one to watch over the coming days.”
We’ll certainly be keeping our eyes peeled…
(Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 16:47
Amber Davies shares her nerves ahead of tonight’s show
Looks like Amber Davies is feeling the pressure ahead of tonight’s show.
The Love Island winner turned West End performer admitted that her heart was “going pitter patter” at about 9am this morning, hours before she’s set to take to the ballroom.
(Instagram @amb_d)
Amber and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin will be performing a salsa to “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester) tonight, after scoring 35 points from the judges for their Viennese waltz last week.
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 16:31
What time is Strictly on TV this evening?
Tonight’s episode, which marks the halfway point in this year’s competition, will start at 6.25pm and finish at 8pm.
After last Saturday’s spooky Halloween special and Icons Week before that, tonight’s episode won’t have a specific theme.
The next themed week will likely be the annual Blackpool extravaganza, which sees the remaining contestants head north to perform at the seaside resort’s iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
The Blackpool special is slated to take place in the ninth week of the competition, on 22 November.
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 16:02
A quick reminder of last week’s scores
Before tonight’s episode kicks off, here’s a quick look back at the scores from last week’s live show.
Lewis Cope and his dance partner Katya Jones topped the scoreboard with the first perfect 40 of the series, after receiving 10s from every single member of the judging panel for their Couple’s Choice dance to Radiohead’s “Creep”.
They were closely followed by Karen Carnet and Carlos Gu, who picked up their first 10s of the competition and totted up an impressive score of 38.
(BBC)
Last week’s lowest scorers, meanwhile, were Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer, who received 26 points for their American Smooth to “Mystical Magical” by Benson Boone.
Ellie Goldstein and dance partner Vito Coppola edged ahead of them with 27 points, but were eventually eliminated from the competition in Sunday night’s dance-off, when the judges decided to save Balvinder Sopal.
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones: 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 40
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu: 9 + 10 + 9 + 10 = 38
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin: 9 + 9 + 8 + 9 = 35
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe: 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec: 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington: 7 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 31
George Clarke and Alexis Warr: 6 + 7 + 8 + 8 = 29
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon: 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 28
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola: 6 +7 + 7 + 7 =27
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer: 6 + 7 + 6 + 7 = 26
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 15:33
Strictly’s Balvinder Sopal reveals big change for next show after dance-off battle
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Balvinder Sopal has revealed a big change for her next routine after ending up in the dance-off again.
The EastEnders actor and her professional dance partner Julian Caillon faced their third dance off on Sunday (2 November), with the judges opting to save them over Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola.
Appearing on Strictly It Takes Two on Tuesday, the soap star revealed she will be dancing barefoot this coming weekend for her couple’s choice dance to Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire.
She said: “It’s a fusion of Bunga and Bollywood, it’s strong and powerful.
“It’s going to be vibrant and banging.”
Caillon added: “I don’t think i’ve enjoyed dancing this much in a while. I feel so privileged I get to do this with Bal and learning about Bal’s culture.”
Strictly star reveals big change for next show after dance-off battle
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Balvinder Sopel has revealed a big change for her next routine after ending up in the dance-off again. The EastEnders actor and her professional dance partner Julian Caillon faced their third dance off on Sunday (2 November), with the judges opting to save them over Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola. Appearing on Strictly It Takes Two on Tuesday, the soap star revealed she will be dancing barefoot this coming weekend for her couple’s choice dance to Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire. She said: “It’s a fusion of Bunga and Bollywood, it’s strong and powerful. “It’s going to be vibrant and banging.” Caillon added: “I don’t think i’ve enjoyed dancing this much in a while. I feel so privileged I get to do this with Bal and learning about Bal’s culture.”
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 14:55
Strictly pays emotional tribute to Amy Dowden as dancer undergoes second mastectomy
Earlier this week, Strictly Come Dancing paid an emotional tribute to Amy Dowden as she revealed that she is set to undergo a second mastectomy.
The professional said she has made the decision following an appointment with her “incredible” medical team.
The 35-year-old, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, stressed that the procedure is “not to treat a new cancer diagnosis”.
On Wednesday’s episode of spin off show It Takes Two, the Welsh dancer looked back on her Strictly career, and recalled returning to the show following.her treatment, when she wore a hot pink dress to represent breast cancer.
Host Janette Manrara’s voice cracked as she said: “Amy in that pink dress was one of my favourite Strictly moments ever.”
Get the full story below…
Strictly pays emotional tribute to Amy Dowden as dancer undergoes second mastectomy
Strictly Come Dancing paid an emotional tribute to Amy Dowden as she undergoes a second mastectomy. The professional said she has made the decision following an appointment with her “incredible” medical team. The 35-year-old, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, stressed that the procedure is “not to treat a new cancer diagnosis”. On Wednesday’s episode of spin off show It Takes Two, the Welsh dancer looked back on her Strictly career and how dancing with McFly singer Tom Fletcher saved her life. She also recalled returning to the show following.her treatment and wearing a hot pink dress to represent breast cancer. Host Janette Manrara’s voice cracked as she said: “Amy in that pink dress was one of my favourite Strictly moment ever.”
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 14:25
Kate Garraway admits Strictly theme music ‘still triggers her’ 17 years later
She’s braved ‘murder’ and backstabbing the Celebrity Traitors castle, but it seems that Kate Garraway’s nerves are still getting over her Strictly Come Dancing stint… 17 years on.
The Good Morning Britain host admitted that she is “still slightly triggered” by the Strictly theme music, while appearing on It Takes Two on Friday.
Garraway was the seventh person to be voted off in the fifth series of the show, which saw her partnered with professional dancer Anton Du Beke.
“17 years ago, I was on the show and I still feel sick every time I hear it,” she added.
Get the full story below…
Kate Garraway admits Strictly Come Dancing theme music ‘still triggers her’
Kate Garraway has said she is “still slightly triggered” by the Strictly Come Dancing theme music after appearing on the show 17 years ago. Garraway was the seventh person to be voted off in the fifth series of the show, which saw her partnered with professional dancer Anton Du Beke. “ I’m still slightly triggered from the opening music,” she said as she appeared on the panel of It Takes Two on Friday (7 November). “17 years ago, I was on the show and I still feel sick every time I hear it,” she added.
Katie Rosseinsky8 November 2025 13:51
Could Alan Carr be one of the new Strictly presenters?
Strictly bosses are currently on the hunt for two new hosts after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced that the current series will be their last.
The duo will be seriously difficult to replace and while producers are busy drafting a shortlist and scheduling meetings, bookies have released odds on the famous faces being tipped for the primetime roles.
Fresh from his Traitors victory, Alan Carr is being linked to the job – which would be genius signing. The comedian is riding high after his win and viewers are crying out for him to land a huge new gig.
See who else could be in the running below…
Rachel McGrath8 November 2025 13:10
