Zoe Ball has backed Anton Du Beke to replace Darcey Bussell on Strictly Come Dancing – but has revealed why it might not happen.
Ballet dancer Darcey made the shock announcement that she was leaving Strictly Come Dancing after seven years last month.
Now Zoe Ball, former Strictly contestant and host of its spin-off It Takes Two, has backed Anton Du Beke to replace her.
Fan favourite Anton is the show’s last remaining original pro dancer having appeared on every series so far.
“I’d really like to see Anton in that role, he’d be amazing,” Zoe said.
However in an interview with The Sun, she shared: “But I have heard there is talk the new judge will be a woman.
“They might pull someone out of the bag that we haven’t even thought of. I loved Darcey. She is one classy lady but also naughty and fun, so a hard act to follow.
“It was a total shock, but sometimes a change can be a good thing and it’s good to go out on top.”
Speaking at the TV BAFTAs at the weekend, current head judge on Strictly Come Dancing Shirley Ballas revealed that the BBC were still looking for a replacement for Darcey.
She said: “I think again the BBC will pick someone who is qualified and fits in with the panel, because obviously there’s four of us and we’ve all got to gel, everybody’s got to have their compartments and know what they’re doing.”
Revealing about her decision to leave Strictly last month, Darcey said there was no “upset or disagreement” behind the decision, saying she planned to focus on “my many other commitments in dance”.
Alongside head judge Shirley, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli currently make up the Strictly Come Dancing panel.
Strictly airs on BBC One.
The new series is expected to launch in September.
This year will see Zoe Ball joined by Rylan Clark-Neal on It Take Two hosting duties due to her new Radio 2 commitments.
