TV

Strictly star forced to pull out of show due to illness

A replacement has been drafted in

Strictly: It Takes Two presenter Zoe Ball will be missing from the Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show on Wednesday evening after she was struck down with a stomach bug.

The show announced the news on its Twitter feed alongside an image of who will be replacing her.

Read more: Strictly star nursing injury

Former Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones will fill in on the BBC Two programme.

It’s also been revealed that Jones will also replace Ball in Thursday’s show which is to be pre-recorded as the Strictly stars head up to Blackpool before Saturday night’s Tower Ballroom special.

A spokesman for Ball said: “Zoe unfortunately has come down with a nasty stomach bug. She is at home resting and hoping to feel better for Blackpool weekend. She is thankful to Gethin for stepping in last minute.”

A BBC spokeswoman said: “Gethin Jones will be stepping in to present Strictly’s It Takes Two on BBC Two tonight and tomorrow. Get well soon, Zoe.”

Jones has been a roaming reporter on the show since last year and took part in the 2016 Christmas special of Strictly with pro dancer Chloe Hewitt.

Tonight’s show will feature interviews with some of the stars of Strictly including Alexandra Burke and her partner Gorka Marquez.

Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova will also be on the sofa chatting to Gethin.

Mollie King and AJ Pritchard will be completing the line up – if she can make it on time following this morning’s Lorraine incident!

Read more: Strictly’s Mollie slammed by judge in harsh interview

The star was due to appear alongside AJ on Lorraine’s morning show, but slept through THREE alarms and had to make a mad dash across town to get there.

AJ started the show alone before Mollie eventually joined him to talk all things Strictly, including the storm over her dance-off against Aston.


Carena Crawford
Associate Editor (Soaps)