Presenter Zoe Ball announced she is leaving Strictly Come Dancing’s spin off show It Takes Two. She has presented the television programme since 2011.
Ball wrote on Instagram that she is “waltzing away” after “10 joyous years,” as it is “time for some new cha cha challenges”. She thanked the Strictly clan, including regular contributors Gethin Jones and costume designer Vicky Gill. And adds that she will miss everyone “immensely”.
It Takes Two is broadcast every weekday evening during the run of the popular dance competition show. Ball previously reduced the number of episodes she presented when she began hosting the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in 2019. She continued to co-present the programme, with Rylan Clark-Neal fronting the programme on certain days in her place.
Professional dancer Ian Waite, who regularly appears on the show to critique contestants, will also be leaving after 10 years.
Ball remains a huge fan of the show and says she “loved spending Autumn teatimes” with the celebrity dancers, professional dancers, judges, Vicky, Rylan, Gethin and Ian. She will continue to support the Strictly family on her radio show, and can’t wait to watch from her sofa in 2021.
She will be missed
Ball also sent “huge love and grateful thanks” to Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. She took over presenting It Takes Two when Claudia moved to the main show after the departure of Bruce Forsyth.
It has not been confirmed yet whether Rylan will take over presenting duties full time, or if the BBC are bringing in a new co-presenter. Plans for the show will apparently be announced “in due course”.
A spokesman for the BBC thanked Zoe for “an amazing decade”, saying she will always be part of the Strictly family. Her sense of fun, passion for all things dance, and amazing sequinned jumpers will be missed. Tributes to Ball have poured in, including from fellow presenter Tess, last year’s contestant Clara Amfo and professional dancer Oti Mabuse.
Ball herself competed in the third series of Strictly, making it all the way to the final. But she lost out on the glitterball trophy to cricketer Darren Gough. She is currently the highest paid female at the BBC, earning over £1m for presenting the Radio 2 breakfast show.
Thank you for reading Zoe Ball Leaving Strictly: It Takes Two
Looking for a storage solution for your garden furniture, tools and belongings? Look no further – Garden Sheds at affordable prices.