Zoe Ball, the 54-year-old broadcasting powerhouse whose infectious energy lit up BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show for six years, has set her sights on the glittering crown of Strictly Come Dancing hosting, openly admitting she “regrets” leaving her £950,000-a-year gig and declaring she’s “ready for the best Saturday night show in the world.” The revelation, dropped in a candid Daily Mail interview on November 10, 2025, comes amid speculation over Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s potential exit after 20 years, positioning Ball as the frontrunner to inject fresh sparkle into the BBC’s flagship entertainment juggernaut, which draws 10 million viewers weekly.

Ball, who quit Radio 2 in December 2024 citing “family reasons” after her mother’s 2024 cancer death and son Woody’s health scares, has been vocal about her career pivot. “I loved Radio 2—it was my dream job—but stepping away gave me space to breathe,” she said, her voice laced with the raw honesty that endeared her to 8 million listeners. “Do I regret it? Yes, sometimes. But Strictly? That’s the pinnacle—glamour, chaos, joy. I’d kill for that Saturday night magic.” Her enthusiasm echoes her 2023 Strictly It Takes Two* stint, where her chemistry with contestants shone.

Strictly's Zoe Ball RETURNS to work following illness - see photo | HELLO!

The timing is electric: Daly and Winkleman, 56 and 53, reportedly eye reduced roles post-2025 series amid burnout rumors and BBC budget cuts. Insiders whisper Ball’s name as “perfect”—her warmth mirroring Daly’s elegance, her wit rivaling Winkleman’s banter. “Zoe’s a pro—live TV, interviews, dance knowledge from her celeb stint,” a BBC source told The Sun. Ball danced in 2005, reaching week 9.

Fans erupted with 2.1 million #ZoeForStrictly posts: “Queen Zoe on Strictly? YES!” Critics note her 2024 absence, but Ball counters: “I’m rested, ready—bring the glitter!” With Strictly facing 2025 scandals, Ball’s clean slate appeals.

As auditions loom, Ball’s “regret to reign” arc captivates. From Radio 2 throne to potential Strictly queen, her journey proves reinvention’s sparkle. “The best is yet,” she vowed. Britain waits—will Zoe waltz in?