“It’s a head-to-head battle…”: Two huge TV stars locked in a straight shoot-out to land the next Strictly host role — with only ONE set to clinch the prestigious job
ZOE Ball and Emma Willis are in a two-horse race to be the new Strictly host — with only one getting the prestigious job.
BBC chiefs want a “female comedy personality” to co-present alongside Zoe, 55, or Emma, 49, on their flagship Saturday night show.
They have decided to continue with an all-woman team following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s exit, despite interest in fellas including Alan Carr and Bradley Walsh.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: “It’s a straight shoot-out between Zoe, who is the front-runner, and Emma.
“Only one will get it, not both.
“The senior execs want a traditional presenter working alongside a more left-field person, a female stand-up comedian.
“It’s felt the humour Claudia brought to the show, particularly in her ‘Claudatorium’, needs to carry on.”
Zoe left her Radio 2 Saturday show in December, sparking speculation she was being lined up for the job.
She also used to host Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two and the live tour.
Meanwhile, Emma has extensive experience fronting a live show after being at the helm of Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5.
A BBC spokesman declined to comment on presenters but said plans will be announced for the 2026 series “in due course”.