ZOE Ball has revealed she failed to get a Strictly hosting job — and has gone through the “seven stages of grief and rejection”.
The former presenter of Strictly spin-off It Takes Two said it was “hard” to take.
Emma Willis has one of the plum roles, as The Sun revealed yesterday, while celeb pal Rylan Clark was another to miss out.
Zoe says the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing will be fabulous — despite her “grief” at losing out on the job herself.
The radio and TV star, 55, and other hopefuls had shed tears after being told they were out of the running — leaving some devastated.
It comes after we exclusively revealed Emma, 50, had been offered one of the roles vacated by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
Former Strictly: It Takes Two spin-off host Zoe was asked about losing out on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, out tomorrow.
She said: “I didn’t get it, but it’s OK.
“I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.
“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.”
Zoe is among a number of big-name frontrunners who failed to make the cut during the rigorous BBC chemistry tests last month.
The Sun can also confirm Angela Scanlon, Alex Jones and Rylan Clark are also out of the running to join Emma Willis as hosts of the long-running series.
Actress Miranda Hart and radio DJ Fleur East were also considered but are understood to have been turned down.
Opening up about not making the cut, Zoe added: “I was so chuffed to even be in the mix. There were some pretty amazing people who didn’t even make it into the mix.
“So I made it in the mix, and I had a really fun time having one last little play at a show that I love and adore. And I’m so thrilled for the gang that has got it.
“I think there’s been so many eyes on this whole process, everyone’s quite relieved now that a decision has been made and the right decision has been made.”
The source said: “The television industry is cut-throat. From the off, the BBC had their favourites but they knew they couldn’t just shoe-horn in who they wanted — it had to come down to the chemistry tests. The celebs were put into mix-and-match pairs.
Insiders said not getting the role had been a bitter pill to swallow for some of the other hopefuls.
The source said: “The television industry is cut-throat. From the off, the BBC had their favourites but they knew they couldn’t just shoe-horn in who they wanted — it had to come down to the chemistry tests. The celebs were put into mix-and-match pairs.
“The people who didn’t get offered the job just weren’t the right fit.
“Some have taken it better than others. One big star who was tipped from day one has been sobbing about it — they were convinced the job was theirs for the taking.
“They genuinely thought they’d the best chance but when it came down to what it felt like on screen, it didn’t work. Sadly, that’s the nature of the business and no amount of soggy Kleenexes will change the decision.”
On Sunday, hotly-tipped Angela appeared to hint at learning she had lost out on the role.
She shared a post on Instagram reminding her followers of the small joys in life.
Angela wrote in the caption: “Pocket-sized truths for the messy, brilliant, chaotic business of being alive. Send this to someone who needs a little reminder that the world isn’t all doom and gloom and save for when your brain is spiralling, your to-do list is feral, and you need a reminder too.”
The Sun exclusively revealed yesterday that Emma had been offered one of the coveted spots on the next series.
Insiders confirmed she will be unveiled as part of the new line-up in the coming weeks and she is quietly thrilled to have been chosen.
Insiders said comedian Josh Widdicombe, 43, and former Strictly pro dancer Johannes Radebe, 39, are in the running for roles alongside her.
The Sun first told on Sunday how funnyman Josh had a chance, while our sources revealed Johannes was a shoo-in for the job earlier this year.
BBC bosses are staying firm and have insisted the Strictly 2026 line-up will be “confirmed in due course”.
Insiders told The Sun that fans can expect the formal announcement to be made after the Eurovision Song Contest final on Saturday.
BBC bosses enlisted a “golden ten” list they wanted to chemistry test.
Stars including Holly Willoughby, 45, Alan Carr, 49, Amanda Holden, 55, and Alison Hammond, 51, were approached but ruled themselves out.
One Show host Alex, 49, and Rylan, 37, were also tested as “hot favourites” by the BBC but insiders said they failed to make the final cut, along with Bradley Walsh, 65, and Rob Rinder, 47.
A source added: “The BBC had a plethora of talent come in for the chemistry tests. There was no favouritism. It was all about who had the best chemistry and what worked on screen.”
Emma now faces an awkward meeting with ITV execs to discuss her future as presenter of The Voice.
Fronting dance show Strictly on BBC One means she could not also be at the helm of the rival channel’s singing contest — as both are broadcast on a Saturday night throughout autumn.
