In May, it was officially revealed that Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe will be taking over presenting duties on the beloved BBC dance competition.

Ball, 55, had been widely tipped as a leading contender to land the role after long‑time presenter Claudia Winkleman announced her exit, with fans and insiders alike tipping the former BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host as the perfect successor due to her long association with the Strictly franchise.

Losing out on the position was reportedly a blow for Ball, although she has been quick to publicly throw her support behind the new presenting trio.

Now, fresh from that disappointment, it’s claimed that Ball is lining up an exciting return to radio with a move to Greatest Hits Radio later this year — just months after she stepped away from her long‑running BBC role.

An insider speaking to The Sun said that Greatest Hits has been keen to bring Ball on board for some time, and the moment she learned about the Strictly hosting opportunity, she made her decision.

They said: “Greatest Hits have wanted her for a while and as soon as Zoe found out about the Strictly job, she decided to take it.

“She absolutely loves being a radio presenter, and after stepping away from her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show a year ago, she took time to think about what she wanted.

“She knows so many people at the commercial station and can’t wait to get started.”

If the move goes ahead, Ball would follow in the footsteps of a number of high‑profile BBC radio stars who have jumped ship to join the commercial station in recent years, including legendary figures like Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo.

For many listeners, Ball’s departure from Radio 2 at the end of 2025 was a defining moment, marking the end of an era on the corporation’s flagship breakfast show. She had fronted the programme since 2019 and, in doing so, became the first woman to permanently host the slot.

At the time she announced her decision to step down, Ball explained that she wanted to prioritise spending more time with her family and take on a broader range of projects outside the daily grind of early morning radio.

But it appears she hasn’t been out of the spotlight for long.

While she revealed earlier this year that she’d been in the running to take over Strictly’s main presenting duties, the role ultimately went to the trio of Willis, Radebe and Widdicombe — an outcome that left some fans surprised and many rooting for Ball to land the job.

Sources close to the situation had suggested that BBC bosses saw the three‑person format as a fresh direction for the show, and that their combination of charm, energy and differing strengths made them a strong fit.

While losing out on one of British television’s most high‑profile presenting jobs might have stung, Ball hasn’t wasted any time turning her focus to the next chapter of her career.

On her popular Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, she addressed the Strictly situation with her trademark humour, confessing that she was jokingly “working through the seven stages of grief and rejection” following the news of the BBC’s decision.

Despite that, she was quick to pour praise on her friends and colleagues who secured the position.

“I’m so thrilled for them,” she said of Willis, Radebe and Widdicombe. “And hopefully at a later date, we’ll be able to talk about them in more detail.”

Ball 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.”

Her ties to the Strictly brand go back nearly two decades. She first appeared on the show as a celebrity contestant back in 2005, and later became one of the key faces of the spin‑off show It Takes Two, which she hosted from 2011 until 2021.

That extensive history with the format had made her a firm favourite among bookmakers and fans alike whenever speculation began over who might step into Winkleman’s shoes on the main show.

But despite missing out on that particular opportunity, a return to radio — especially on a major commercial network like Greatest Hits — would give Ball a fresh, high‑profile platform from which to continue connecting with audiences nationwide.

Greatest Hits has built a reputation in recent years for attracting seasoned broadcasting talent, and Ball’s arrival would represent another big get for the station as it continues to expand its appeal.

For her part, Ball seems genuinely excited at the prospect of joining the team and reconnecting with familiar faces in a new environment.

After years in the spotlight at the BBC, where she became one of the country’s best‑loved radio voices, this next move could mark an equally significant chapter in her career — one that allows her to remain at the forefront of British broadcasting while striking a new balance in her personal and professional life.

With her unmistakable voice, broad appeal and wealth of experience, Ball’s potential new role at Greatest Hits Radio is sure to be met with enthusiasm from listeners who have followed her journey for years.