“You couldn’t pay me enough money to make me audition for Sandy…
Perhaps Principal McGee or Sandy’s mum!”

An Avid fan of Grease from her childhood, Zoe Ball is thrilled to be hosting the show but admits to being much more like rebellious Rizzo than pure and innocent Sandy! Convinced she could never stand up in front of the judges and audition herself, Zoe has an admiration for all the potential Sandys and Dannys, and is more than ready to give any dejected contestants a ‘mushy’ hug.

What’s your first Grease memory?
“I remember Grease coming out and my next door neighbours, Mark and Kirsty, going to see it, but I was only seven and wasn’t allowed to go. My dad bought me the album though and I knew that off-by-heart long before I ever got to see the film. I still have it now.

“I had a Grease party for my 8th or 9th birthday; everyone dressed up and the DJ had us all singing and dancing on opposite sides. It was before boys got embarrassed about singing and dancing at parties!

“I shamefully must admit to loving Grease 2 as well. I once tried to get the girls at school to put on a production of it. Understandably, it never made it from the playground to the stage.”

In your high school yearbook, what would it read?
“It would probably read ‘Most likely to chase the boys’ or ‘Most likely to find trouble’.”

Which character did you most identify with when you were a teenager?
“I’d choose Rizzo every time. Sandy was too pure and such a goody-two-shoes. I was always naughty at school; not exactly a rebellious gang leader, more the class clown; that still rings true today, much to my husband’s despair. I was always chasing boys, from the age of five!”

What did you aspire to be as a teenager?
“When I was a teenager I wanted to be on the stage. I really wanted to be Shirley MacLaine. Sadly, I can’t act, or sing.”

What’s your favourite scene and song from the movie?
“My favourite scene is the dance competition at Rydell High when Sandy storms off and Danny wins with Cha Cha. I tried to learn the Hand Jive off-by-heart; who didn’t?”

Danny Zuko or Kenickie?
“I preferred Danny as a T-Bird but always fancied Kenickie more. I thought John Travolta was weird-looking. Kenickie was trouble and I liked that in a boy.”

Did you ever have a holiday romance as a teen?
“I always had summer crushes, usually unrequited love though! I’d fall in love with all the guys who worked at hotels or PGL holiday camps we went too. I was in love with my pal’s big brother for ages and he made me a mixed tape with Farewell My Summer Love by Michael Jackson. I read more into it than was intended. Aww!”

Do you prefer Sandy before or after her transformation?
“I love Sandy’s transformation look; ‘Tell me about it stud…’ I have tried to recreate the look on myself but I’m too old for those satin trousers now.”

What do you think of the contestants that have auditioned so far?
“While at the auditions I’ve met some great characters, some brilliant potential Dannys and Sandys, and also some people perhaps best suited to sticking to the day job.

“But I have so much admiration for anyone who can stand on a stage in front of David Gest, David Ian, Sinitta and Brian, and sing, dance and act in an audition situation. It’s terrifying; I honestly couldn’t do it.”

What would it take for you to audition to be Sandy?
“You couldn’t pay me enough money to make me audition for Sandy. Perhaps Principal McGee or Sandy’s mum!”

How are you planning to cope with the thrilled or dejected contestants?
“I’ll be there during the show with tissues and a ‘mumsy’ hug for the dejected; and perhaps a slap for those who get too big for their boots! I do end up feeling like their surrogate mum though!”

Do you identify with that 50s’ style and the image of women in the 50s?
“I love the style of the 50s but sadly my figure (ie, no boobs and no waist) isn’t best suited to the lasses’ outfits. I’d make a better T-Bird than a Pink Lady!”

Who would be your ideal celebrity Danny?
“My ideal celebrity Danny would be Rob James-Collier, who plays Liam Connor, in Coronation Street. He’s a very handsome, dark-haired Lothario. Liam that is! I’m sure Rob is a very nice chap who’s good to his ma!”

Grease is a traditional, girls’ night-in movie. What’s your ideal girls’ night in?
“An ideal girls’ night in for me is my best mates, a load of margaritas, a good raiding of my dressing-up wardrobe, lots of our fave records, daft dancing (I’ve got a dancing pole), a hot-tub and lots of nonsense gossiping…Oh, and a camera to capture the daftest moments!”