Zoe, who finished third in the dance contest when partnered with Ian Waite in 2005, will take over from Claudia Winkleman, who is of course due to give birth to her third child just weeks before the BBC show is due to return for a new series.

Zoe said, “I am quite literally beyond elated. There has been quite a hullabaloo at home with the news.

“I’m giddy with glee and I may even have slipped into a celebratory cha-cha-cha, although technically not a very good one.

“Having been a contestant myself and hosted the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ tour, it would be fair to say I’m obsessed.

“I love everything ‘Strictly’ – from watching the partnerships blossom and bloom to the tricky footwork, the frocks, the shock exits and, of course, the judges.”

Zoe is believed to have beaten off tough competition in the form of Denise Van Outen and Natasha Kaplinsky to land the job.

The show’s Producer, Moira Ross said, “With Zoe’s first-hand experience of the series, she’s the perfect person to give viewers all the insider knowledge, gossip and news from this year’s show

Claudia will still present the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ results show with Tess Daly on Sundays.

View the original post Zoe Ball is the new host of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ spin-off ‘It Takes Two’ on Unreality TV

The pair took on cool Pulp Fiction track ‘Never Can Tell’ and were dressed up as Jon Travolta and Uma Thurman. It wasn’t the funniest dance of the night but it was quite possibly the best.

That Zoe really rocks on the dancefloor, though I suppose given her and her husbands career it’s not really surprising!

View the original post Let’s Dance For Comic Relief: Suggs & Zoe Ball on Unreality TV

Zoe Ball & Suggs, Dom Joly, sports stars Martin Offiah and Denise Lewis, The Bill actors Lisa Maxwell and Patrick Robinson, Fern Britton and Angela Rippon will all appear in the third heat of Let’s Dance For Comic Relief this Saturday night on BBC One.

Lisa Snowdon and Dara O’Briain will be guest panellists alongside head panellist Anton Du Beke.

In the final, Anton will be joined by guest panellists Denise Van Outen and Michael McIntyre who is back by popular demand.

The show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Steve Jones, will see the six acts perform iconic dance routines in a bid to wow viewers and win a place in next week’s spectacular final dance off.

Who goes through and who gets a chance to compete in the final will be down to the public phone votes and the panel.

The final will see two celebrity acts compete alongside Robert Webb, Dick & Dom, Keith Lemon & Paddy McGuinness and Jo Brand for their chance to be crowned the Let’s Dance For Comic Relief Champion on Saturday 14 March during Red Nose Day weekend.

View the original post Let’s Dance For Comic Relief Signs Zoe Ball, Suggs, Dom Joly, Lisa Maxwell, Patrick Robinson, Fern Britton and Angela Rippon on Unreality TV

Zoe, 36, told The People “We’ve been trying for another baby but it’s just not happening.

“At the moment we’re playing the game of ‘Let’s pretend we don’t want one’ in the hope that we’ll suddenly surprise ourselves by getting pregnant.”

She added: “We’d love a brother or sister for Woody, though, especially for later in life when I’m an old woman.

“That way he can ring up his brother or sis and say, ‘You deal with Mum, she’s being bonkers!’”

View the original post Grease Is The Word: Zoe Ball Desperate For Another Baby on Unreality TV

Those guys at ITV know how to throw a party – from the pink carpet outside the venue as I arrived to the T-shaped stage, everything was Grease-themed from the get-go. Even the London Eye has been coloured pink for the event (and will remain pink for the next few days).

The Preview

We were treated to previews of the auditions and the ITV2 show, Greased Lightnin’. If you’re a fan of The X-Factor, you’re going to love GITW (yes, I had to shorten it!).

All the golden elements of reality TV contestants are here: complete wackos, talented unknowns and…drumroll…. a failed 90′s pop star hoping for a career comeback. That brings back memories of Peter Andre and Andy Scott-Lee and the cast of Re-born In The USA… We love 90′s pop stars – we were there first time round!

The ITV2 aftershow, Greased Lightnin’ looks set to be a lot of fun as well, providing the usual opportunities to get closer to the contestants and find out more about them.

Judges and Presenters

After a few drinks, the presenters (Zoe Ball and Holly Willoughby) and three of the judges (David Ian, David Gest and Sinitta) were brought on stage for a Q&A session. Holly looks much cuter in the flesh, by the way.

David Ian came across as very business-like. He said “We’re looking for Danny and Sandy for the live show and rehearsals will start immediately after the final.” He also revealed that they are auditioning for the rest of the cast simultaneously, and that some auditionees who didn’t make the show are being considered for other roles. So there may be more than a few unknowns in the final stage show which will be opening at the Piccadilly in August

When asked if he was worried about GITW going head-to-head with the BBC’s Any Dream Will Do, David replied that he thought it was fantastic for the theatre industry that there are two primetime shows centred on casting for West End shows.

David Gest thinks that Grease has stronger songs than Joseph, and will triumph because it’s more popular.

Judge Rivalry

Expect tensions between David Ian and David Gest (who’s swiftly being renamed DG). I’m not sure how authentic the verbal sparring is between the two, but a few insults were traded on the night!

It looks like Sinitta is taking the role of ‘fair’ judge. She said that she thinks David Ian is the toughest judge, but from what I saw, David Gest was being the most blunt a la Cowell.

Having said that, if I’m A Celebrity turned David Gest into a household name, his role as a judge in GITW will seal the deal. The entire room was guffawing at some of his comments to awful auditionees.

The Grand Finale

To finish off the launch, there was a performance of songs from Grease by the cast of the West End show, including Hayley Evett of Pop Idol fame as Sandy. A very nice end to an exciting evening, and thanks to the nice folks at ITV for inviting us along!

View the original post Grease Is The Word: The Launch Party on Unreality TV

She said: “The thing is, I think with what’s happening with X Factor is that anyone who’s ever presented anything is going to be connected with it.

“The thing is I love Kate Thornton. I think she did a great job, she’s a great lass and I think it’s a real shame what’s happened.

“So I haven’t spoken to her, but she’s a good lass and she’ll bounce back and I’m sure the press has exaggerated a lot of it.”

She added: “Whoever takes over has got a huge job on their hands. I wouldn’t want it to be me.”t

View the original post Zoe Ball Out Of X Factor Race on Unreality TV

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!”

View the original post Grease Is The Word: Q&A With Zoe Ball on Unreality TV

She started out as a runner at Granada TV, in Manchester, and was quickly promoted to researcher on BSkyB’s children’s programme, Cool Cube. She joined Action Time in 1990 and spent two years as a researcher on the quiz shows Love At First Sight and Cluedo, which led to a role as Assistant Producer at Planet 24, in 1992, on The Big Breakfast.

After auditioning for Children’s BBC in 1994, Zoe presented The Birthday Slot, The Ozone, Playdays, Short Change and The Broom Cupboard. In 1995 she fronted Fully Booked and the BAFTA award-winning SMART, an art programme for CBBC.

In 1996 Zoe took over Gaby Roslin’s presenting role on The Big Breakfast, soon returning to the BBC to front LIVE & KICKING with Jamie Theakston for three years. Their final show in 1999 won an Entertainment BAFTA.

In 1998 Zoe was invited to co-host the Radio One Breakfast Show with Kevin Greening, and in 1999 she became the first female to front the show solo, earning her a Sony Gold Award. She remained there until April 2000.

During 2001, Zoe completed her fourth series presenting Channel 4’s The Priory with Jamie Theakston. She co-presented The Brit Awards 2002 with Frank Skinner, and hosted Class Of…, the BBC2 gameshow. She appeared as a guest alongside Ozzy Osbourne on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross (BBC) and was a panellist on BBC’s Shooting Stars.

In 2003 Zoe co-presented the V Festival with Lisa Snowden, voiced VH1’s Rock The Box, The Jennifer Lopez Documentary and The Kylie Minogue Story (MTV). She narrated BBC Radio 2’s music documentary, The Second Summer Of Love, and spent 2004 hosting an Xfm Show and attending Film School.

Zoe hosted BBC3’s coverage of Strictly Dance Fever and recorded a special for ITV, Queenmania!, in 2004. The following year (2005) she narrated the In The Loop Radio 2 documentary, was a presenter on Faking The Band, The Match and Elvis Mania and did very well indeed in Strictly Come Dancing!

In 2006 she made a welcome return to the dance floor, competing in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and coming second. That year she also hosted the Elle Style Awards, and stood in for Dermot O’Leary on his BBC Radio 2 show. She presented BBC1’s Dancing In The Street with Bruce Forsyth, and hosted the Vodafone TBA: Razorlight gig for Channel 4.

More recently, Zoe co-presented the wildlife series Extinct with Sir Trevor MacDonald and hosted the second series of Soapstar Superstar, both on ITV1. She has a whole host of other presenting and guest appearance credits to her name!

View the original post Grease: Biography Of Zoe Ball on Unreality TV

Now I really am furious! Brad and I were invited to the party in London, but I opted out and Brad is going alone. I had no real desire to meet David Gest, Sinitta or Zoe Ball…..but John Travolta? I would have paid money to shake his hand or maybe even dance the Greased Lightnin with him. Gutted!

View the original post John Travolta Tipped For Launch Of Grease Is The Word on Unreality TV

Putting his reputation on the line judging the potential hopefuls, as well as producing the eventual winners in the new West End show, is renowned theatre producer David Ian. Joining David on the judging panel is; I’m A Celebrity favourite, multimillionaire American showbiz impresario and producer David Gest, American choreographer Brian Friedman and The X Factor mentor, 80’s pop icon and West End star in her own right Sinitta (Mutiny, Hair, What A Feelin’).

David Ian said of taking part in the series, “I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted to be working with ITV on this project looking for a brand new Danny and Sandy for the West End production of Grease. It’s so exciting to be looking for genuine new UK talent to fill the boots of John Travolta and Olivia Newton John and to perform in one of the greatest musicals of all time.”

Presenting the show for ITV1 is presenter and self confessed Grease superfan Zoe Ball and Holly Willoughby will be getting all the backstage gossip and behind the scenes action for ITV2’s spin off show, Greased Lightnin’.

Of presenting the news series Zoe Ball said, “I remember seeing Grease for the first time when I was 7 years old and I loved it. I learnt all the songs off by heart, and I just wanted to be one of the pink ladies at Rydell High, they were so cool! I’ve watched Grease over and over since that special day when I queued for ages outside the cinema, and I am just as hopelessly devoted to it now as I was back then. So you can imagine how delighted I am to be presenting Grease Is The Word – it’s so exciting, I can’t wait to be a part of it!”

Preliminary auditions have been held across the country and thousands of hopefuls have applied in a bid to win one of these infamous roles. Auditionees must prove that not only are their singing, dancing and acting skills up to the job, but that ultimately they can reprise the sizzling chemistry of Grease’s most famous leads John Travolta and Olivia Newton John.

The Sandy and Danny wannabes are set to be put through their paces, all hoping to secure themselves a place at “Bootcamp”. Then over the course of three days the hopefuls will be whittled down to just eight couples who will go forward to the live stages of the show and the public vote. Only one couple will make it through to take to the stage in the West End production.

Co-produced by talkbackTHAMES and Simon Cowell’s production company Syco TV the series will air on ITV1 from April with the access all areas show Greased Lightnin’ airing on ITV2.

The new West End production of Grease will be produced by Paul Nicholas and David Ian and will open in July. Tickets go on sale from the end of March.

View the original post Judges Announced For ITV Grease Is The Word on Unreality TV