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Zoe Ball announced she’d be leaving her Saturday afternoon slot on BBC Radio 2, just months after returning to the station after quitting the breakfast show a year ago

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Zoe Ball’s dad, Johnny, has commented on his daughter’s “wrong decision” to quit her Radio 2 show for her daughter. The 87-year-old, who was known as a prominent kids’ TV presenter, spoke following Zoe’s shock decision to step back from her Saturday afternoon show on the BBC.

Speaking on Saturday, the 55-year-old told Radio 2 listeners: “I have loved being betwixt my dear friends Romesh (Ranganathan) and Rylan (Clark), and you know, I love you all to bits, but I’m not disappearing completely.

“Obviously, it’ll be Christmas Crooners, and I’m doing an eras show in the new year, more on that later. But I am thrilled to tell you that you will be in the safest of hands, because there is a superwoman who is no stranger to you all, but this does mean that she will officially become a member of the Radio 2 family.

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“You’ll have loved her on The Voice, The Circle, Big Brother, Cooking With The Stars, Love Is blind, and delivering babies, she’s a gorgeous lass, so welcome to the BBC Radio 2 family and Saturday afternoons, Emma Willis.”

Her dad, Johnny, who recently opened up about his prostate cancer diagnosis, explained why she left her morning show in December last year. He told the Sun: “Zoe stood down from the breakfast show, so she could see more of her 16-year-old daughter.

“You only have a couple of years, and she’s off to university and gone. Zoe didn’t realise you don’t see anything with 16-year-old daughters anyway, because they’re always out so she realises it was perhaps the wrong decision. But, she’s happy she did it, and now she’s got a totally new lease of life. Her career’s fine.”

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Zoe left the breakfast show in December last year, six years after becoming the voice of Radio 2’s early morning output. She returned to the station around five months later, taking the more laid-back Saturday afternoon spot, between 1pm and 3pm.

At the time, Zoe said she wanted to “focus on her family”, and leave behind the “very early mornings” – she joked that her 4am alarm had taken its toll on her. The news followed a series of other issues, including the death of her mother, Julia, in April 2024.

Zoe has also been open about her temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) diagnosis, which causes her to suffer from headaches. She was the second-highest-earning BBC star in 2023/2024, just behind Gary Lineker. She took home just less than £1,000,000 for the year, making her the top-paid female presenter.

Commenting on Zoe’s departure, Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, added: “Emma is one of the UK’s most popular broadcasters, so I’m thrilled that she’s joining the all-star Radio 2 family of presenters.

“I’m certain that our loyal listeners will welcome her with open arms. I can’t wait to hear Emma’s new show as a part of our Superstar Saturday weekend schedule, which features Tony Blackburn, Dermot O’Leary, Romesh Ranganathan, Rylan, Liza Tarbuck, Gary Davies and Fearne Cotton.”

Best friends Kerry Katona and Katie Price have made a secret festive promise which will see wedding bells in 2026 as they have vowed to be bridesmaids at one another’s weddings

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Best pals Kerry Katona and Katie Price have made a secret festive promise – to tie the knot with their respective loves in 2026 and to support one another every step of the way. Not only that, but the friends have vowed to be bridesmaids at one another’s weddings and play godmother to each other’s kids, should they also be granted their wish for more babies.

“They are both very keen to get married in 2026 and will be there for each other on their special days. They’d love to have babies at the same time too,” claims our source. “Because they’ve known each other since the [ I’m A Celebrity ] jungle, when Kerry was going through a lot and Katie met Peter [Andre], they always said they’d be each other’s bridesmaids and they’d be there for each other when they first had their kids. So they have to be there for each other’s weddings.”

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“They could possibly have a joint hen do and whatever they do, they’re going to be doing it together. They could even have a double wedding.”

Both stars have had eventful love lives, with Katie, 47, embarking on a string of ill-fated relationships and marriages since divorcing first husband Peter in 2009. But she has been loved-up with former Married At First Sight UK hunk JJ Slater, 33, since February 2024, despite reports of a brief split back in July.

Kerry, 45, meanwhile, has three failed marriages behind her – to Westlife singer Brian McFadden, cabbie Mark Croft, and the late former rugby player George Kay. Last year, she sensationally split from her fiancé, Ryan Mahoney, following a “breach of trust”, but has since found love with personal trainer Paolo Margaglione, 33, who she met while appearing on E4 reality show Celebs Go Dating earlier this year.

Despite not always seeing eye to eye, Kerry – who is mum to Molly, 24, Lilly-Sue, 22, Heidi, 18, Max, 17, and 11-year-old DJ – is one of the few people Katie feels she can confide in.

In 2014, former glamour model Katie was left heartbroken after discovering her friend, Jane Pountney, had enjoyed a secret seven-month fling with her then-husband, Kieran Hayler, behind her back. Since then the star – who is mum to Harvey, 23, and shares children Junior, 20, and Princess, 18, with Peter, and Jett, 12, and Bunny, 11, with Kieran – has struggled to let her guard down.

“Katie doesn’t trust anyone,” our source claims. “But Kerry and Katie have a very close relationship and while they can get on each other’s nerves and have had their fallouts in the past, there’s still a very close bond between them. It’s a funny relationship. They have their ups and downs, but they’re like an old married couple themselves.” While there’s no doubt Kerry is very fond of Katie, her pal’s unpredictable nature has caused problems in the past.

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In her 2022 autobiography, Whole Again: Love, Life And Me, the former Atomic Kitten singer revealed she “wasn’t best pleased” after Katie pulled out of being a bridesmaid at her 2014 wedding to George Kay, due to issues with her dress. “I was probably a bit of a bridezilla anyway, so I felt pretty p***ed off,” she wrote. This year, the pair’s bond grew stronger as they completed a chaotic UK tour of their joint live show, An Evening With Katie Price & Kerry Katona, which on one occasion saw Katie turn up two hours late.

At another date, Kerry was forced to walk off stage after suffering a panic attack. “They need each other, without a doubt – especially Katie, who just hasn’t got the confidence Kerry has,” claims our source.

“Kerry really is supportive of Katie. It’s lovely. She is a very, very good friend, but it’s [a situation] where Katie needs Kerry more than the other way round. Katie wouldn’t have been able to do the theatre show on her own, whereas Kerry would have.” One area where the mums have always been on the same page is their love for their kids – and their desire to have more.

“They both want babies,” claims our source. “For Kerry, it’s her last throw of the dice, and for Katie as well. They’ve both got to an age where they’re not sure whether they could get pregnant. If they do it, they’ll do it together and be godparents to each other’s babies and be bridesmaids at each other’s weddings. That’s the sort of pact it is.” While the pair might have grand plans for 2026, family priorities will keep them apart over the festive period.

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“I don’t think they will do anything together this Christmas because Kerry has got a big family and loads of kids,” says our source. “Plus they’ve been working together, so they’ll probably have a break from each other, from what I hear. But it doesn’t mean they’re not friends.”

Last year – with the pair starring in panto in Northwich together – Kerry famously hosted her pal, posting snaps of herself and her kids in matching pyjamas, alongside Katie and her eldest son Harvey.

“Had the most amazing and wonderful Christmas with the most amazing children and friends… feel like the luckiest girl alive,” she posted on Boxing Day.

If their pact for marriage and more babies in 2026 goes to plan, we can see both families pulling crackers together again this time next year.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left Strictly Come Dancing fans speechless with their look. The presenting duo, who are no strangers when it comes to dazzling fans, looked sensational as they posed together for the live semi-final.

Claudia looked sensational as she stepped out wearing a gold coloured ankle-length dress, which cinched in at the waist. In true Claudia style, the presenter rocked her classic over-the-top make-up and her famous dark eyeliner around her peepers.

Meanwhile, Tess dazzled in a figure-hugging red dress, which featured a daring split up her thigh. The star wore her blonde hair in loose natural waves, cascading over her shoulder before resting on her chest.

One fan said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Claudia, Motsi, Tess and Shirley look fab tonight #strictly (and the contestants too). Anton and Craig look dapper too.” A second went on to add: “Tess and Claudia looking fab.”

Just moments before going live, Tess received recognition from her co-stars as she marked her 500th episode of the BBC programme. Craig Revel Horwood said: “Tess, darling… This is, my love, to celebrate 500 Strictly shows.” “No way,” she replied.

Craig added: “500 of being fab-u-lous, darling!” Shocked by the news, Tess replied: “That was the biggest surprise! I had no idea it was 500!” Looking at Craig, she added: “You were there for 499, just missed one!”

This year, the duo will bow out of the programme after working together for over two decades on the programme. Claudia took over from Sir Bruce Forsyth, who co-presented with Daly until he left the show in 2013.

Currently, it’s believed that bosses behind the show are ramping up the search in order to find the next presenter. Reports claim that stars in line for the job will be put through intense on-screen chemistry tests to ensure they match the same levels of energy as Claudia and Tess.

According to sources, a “Golden Ten” have been assembled to take part in a secret studio session next month where presenters will reportedly be paired up in various combinations to see who has the strongest rapport on camera.

A source told The Sun: “Replacing Claudia and Tess is a mammoth task, but the BBC have whittled down the talent to ten people. They will go to a studio and be put into different pairs to see who works together best.”

Some of the frontrunners are Bradley Walsh, The One Show’s Alex Jones and British comedian Alan Carr, who is understood to be the current favourite among senior BBC figures.

Rylan Clark, Rob Rinder, Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond and Angela Scanlon are also taking part. The source added: “It could be two women or two men paired, or a mix. They will ultimately choose whoever has the best chemistry in each partnership.”

Some contenders already have tried and tested on-screen dynamics. Rylan and Rob currently front a BBC travel series together, while Alan and Amanda host a home renovation show. But earlier today, it was announced that Zoe had left her BBC Radio 2 Saturday show, which could mean that she is in line for the job.

Zoe had previously presented the Strictly spin-off, It Takes Two, so she is no stranger to the glistening lights of the dance competition ballroom.

Meanwhile, sources close to Tess have said that she is “nervous” ahead of her exit and hasn’t made any backup plans. Speaking to Express.co.uk, they said: “She’s hoping to focus on her brands, but brands need the TV shows to stay interested. Claudia will be absolutely fine as she’s the flavour of the month, but Tess is worried.”

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Taylor Swift’s dance crew take the spotlight in the pop star’s new docuseries, The End of an Era. But who exactly is Kameron Saunders?

Taylor Swift’s dancer Kameron Saunders went viral for his captivating moves during the Eras Tour, and now the 33-year-old star has stepped back into the spotlight.

Kameron is featured in the new Taylor Swift: The End of an Era docuseries, which dropped its first two episodes yesterday (December 12). Spanning across six episodes, the series gives fans exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the record-breaking tour.

The first episodes have so far revealed the pop star’s generous bonus pay cheques for her crew members, as well as a glimpse into specific dancers’ lives.

Kameron, affectionally known as Kam, is easy to spot in pictures from the tour – but who is the performer?

Who is Kam Saunders?

Born in St. Louis Missouri, Kam is a dancer, choreographer and creative director.

Fans may recognise him from Apple TV’s 2022 Christmas comedy Spirited, as well as 2023 musical drama The Colour Purple.

While he had a keen interest in dance from a young age, Kam wasn’t always treated fairly by his teachers because of his weight.

Speaking in the Disney documentary, he shared: “I had a lot of teachers and professors who were not so kind, mostly around my size.

“[They claimed] if I wanted to be a professional dancer, I would need to lose weight. I remember doing an audition and the director of the company said to me ‘Okay so what are we gonna do about your body?'”

Kam continued, revealing that his family kept him grounded. “In life, some people are going to try to tear you down. They want you to do something else other than the thing that you are in love with.”

“And then there are kind people who ground you. In my experience that’s my mum and my brother […] I came from a family with an excess of love,” he explained.

After graduating university, Kam was certain he would become a dance teacher. However, he soon received an email about a closed audition for an unnamed artist (who turned out to be Taylor), and decided to give the gig a chance. The audition ultimately landed him on one of the biggest stages in the world.

Who is Kam Saunders’ NFL star brother?

Kam’s brother is NFL star Khalen Saunders, who was previously a teammate of Taylor’s fiancé, Travis Kelce.

The 29-year-old was drafted into the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 and was with the team until 2023. He won the Super Bowl twice with the Chiefs, playing alongside Travis.

Reflecting on their upbringing, Kam revealed in the Disney show that his mother played a key role in the brothers’ respective success.

“My mother sacrificed a lot for my brother and I to have experiences. So my brother, he fell in love with sports. I fell in love with dance and we were sort of navigating our training at the same time [throughout] middle school, high school [and] college,” he said.

Kam added: “It has been the joy of my life to watch him thrive in something that he loves so, so much.”