Zoe Ball to front Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two

Image caption, Ball competed on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing and has hosted the show's live tour

Zoe Ball is to replace Claudia Winkleman as the presenter of Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two.

The Radio 2 host, who competed in the main series in 2005 and finished in third place, said she was "beyond elation" over the role.

Winkleman, who had hosted the show since it began in 2004, is stepping aside as she is due to give birth to her third child over the summer.

It Takes Two will return in the autumn on 大象传媒 Two.

"Having been a contestant myself and having hosted the Strictly Come Dancing Tour, it would be fair to say I'm obsessed with the whole dance phenomenon," Ball said.

Moira Ross, executive producer of Strictly Come Dancing, said of Ball: "With her 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."