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Strictly It Takes Two presenter Zoe Ball on dazzling new co-host Rylan Clark-Neil


Zoe Ball has a dazzling new co-star on It Takes Two – so much so that she may need to have her teeth whitened.

But she is thrilled to be partnering up with Rylan Clark-Neal, who famously spent £25,000 on his ultra-white dental veneers.

Zoe said: “Will we be Phil and Holly? Obviously, when I say that I mean I’m Phil, Rylan is Holly.”

The 48-year-old, who presents Radio 2’s breakfast show, said: “The great thing is Rylan’s so tall that I can wear a nice heel. Maybe I’ll have to get my teeth whitened so I can work alongside him?”

When it was announced the latest mainstay of TV was joining Zoe on the hugely popular Strictly spin-off – there were worries that she was being pushed out.

And former X Factor contestant Rylan, 30, admitted when he got the call, he thought he was being asked to dance.

He said: “Originally, I thought they were asking me to be a contestant – I thought, ‘No, I’m not doing it. I can’t go back into a competition.’

“But when they said it was presenting, I had to ring Zoe to make sure I wasn’t taking her job. She said, ‘No, I’m cutting my time back a bit – I want you to do it’.”

Rylan will now present the weekday teatime show on Mondays and Tuesdays while Zoe will do Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The duo will then present It Takes Two’s hour-long special on Friday.

Zoe Ball’s first morning as Radio2 Breakfast Show host back in January

 

Zoe, who came third on Strictly in 2005, is looking forward to co-hosting Friday’s live show. She said: “Friday’s always a laugh. We’ve got a panel, a band – it really feels like showbiz.

“I wonder how it’ll work. Will we come down the same staircase? We’ve not done anything together yet, so I don’t know how it’ll play out.

“When you get a new telly husband or wife, you have to get used to their patterns, when to interject.

“Will we be Eamonn and Ruth? Phil and Holly?”

Zoe has presented It Takes Two since 2011 when she took over from Claudia Winkleman, who left to host the main show alongside Tess Daly.

And while Rylan took over Zoe’s old Saturday afternoon Radio 2 show when she got the breakfast gig, they aren’t close pals.

She said of Rylan: “I met him in a lift once at ITV and completely fangirled after him. I guess it was after X Factor, when he first started doing Big Brother.

“I just love him. You just know he’s a great guy but also a complete scream.”

One of Zoe’s favourite moments was dancing the Argentine tango with Vincent Simone. And she is planning to get dance lessons for Rylan on the show with resident expert Ian Waite or professionals Aljaz Skorjanec or Anton Du Beke.

Zoe Ball in action on the dancefloor during her stint on Strictly in 2005

As for the new raft of celebrities about to compete on the show, Zoe already has her eye on a few.

She said: “I’ve just seen Michelle Visage in her outfit and she looks phenomenal.

“James Cracknell as well is a real hero of all of ours. We’ve also got Honey from EastEnders and Eva from Corrie. That is gold. They’re going to be great.”

She added: “And the boys – Will and Karim! I love all of them and they will all become like my children.

“Mike Bushell is going to be such a delight. He is so naughty and mischievous. He’s a little pocket rocket.”

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Zoe, whose dad is Johnny Ball, has two kids Woody and Nelly with Fatboy Slim DJ Norman Cook. She has been dating construction boss Michael Reed since 2017.

Although she’s not competing, Zoe has been watching what she eats “because I’ve got to stand next to all those gorgeous dancers”.

And with just days to go before the first live show, she has advice for the class of 2019.

She said: “Listen to your pros and get the basics right. Strictly will take over your life – but you will be back to your family at Christmas time.

“Throw yourself into it and enjoy the ride.”

Zoe Ball with dance partner Ian Waite when she appeared in the show in 2005

 

Rylan was routinely ridiculed by then head judge Gary Barlow on The X Factor and he has advice for contestants who are about to line up against Strictly’s judging panel – Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli and Motsi Mabuse.

He said: “Take it all on the chin and try to do the best you can physically possibly do.

“It’s the same with the public – everyone will have something to say. Don’t worry, this time next year, they’ll be saying it about someone else.

“The most important thing is to enjoy it. Savour every minute, it’s going to be a bumpy ride but it’ll be the best ride you have ever
been on.”

It Takes Two will air on BBC1 for the first two weeks from Monday at 5.15pm, before returning to its home on BBC2 at 6.30pm Monday –Thursday and 6pm Fridays. The Strictly live shows start on Saturday.





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