Zoe Ball is making a return to BBC Radio 2.
The veteran broadcaster left her early morning breakfast show last year, with her close friend Scott Mills taking over hosting duties. Now, it’s been announced that she will host a brand new weekly music as well as two specials, including a BBC TV show celebrating the six decade long career of West End legend, Elaine Paige.
Zoe, 54, will launch her Saturday show between 1 and 3pm, playing some of her favourite hits which she has promised to showcase her having “lots of laughs” as well as striking up a bond with her listeners. Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Zoe is one of the UK’s most loved presenters, so I’m thrilled to announce that she has a new home on Radio 2 on Saturday lunchtimes, plus she’ll be hosting various specials for us throughout the year.”
Zoe, who presented her last Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Friday 20th December after six years, most recently presented two episodes of Christmas Crooners over the festive period. As previously announced, she will also host Elaine Paige: 60 Years in Showbusiness, a world exclusive concert honouring the extraordinary career of the station’s host of Elaine Paige on Sunday (1-3pm).
The news comes after Zoe’s eldest child, musician Woody Cook, revealed that she had been helping out in her local cafe following her Radio 2 exit. “These crazy party people I grew up with are now gardening, making puzzles and working in the local café. It’s very funny to see that transitional period, just as I’m kind of leaving the nest and now at the start of something big for me in music,” he told MailOnline.
He also departure addressed Zoe’s exit from Radio 2, admitting that he’s thrilled about her decision because he now gets to spend a lot more time with her. “It’s lovely seeing my mum more, because obviously she’s had quite a weird schedule for the last few years.” Zoe announced that she would be departing BBC Radio 2 just months after her extended absence from the show during the summer following her mother’s death.
In a statement on air, she said that she believed it was time to “start a new chapter” after six years of early starts. However, she confirmed that she would be still be working with Radio 2 in some capacity after her exit. Zoe burst into tears during her last Breakfast show.
Introducing the programme, she revealed that the whole team were back together for her final farewell but admitted: “We’ve had some tears already. We don’t quite know what to do with ourselves this morning, do we? I’ve come in and I suddenly can’t remember how to press the button.”
Zoe continued: “We’re all pretending we’re going to be OK, that the emotion isn’t getting to us – but it’s definitely getting to us. So hold tight! But Richie, so many nice comments yesterday – made me blub my eyes out!” She added: “I’ve already had a little cry on Patrick! But we’re going to have lots of fun today. We’re playing some of my favourite records today – both Christmassy and non-Christmassy ones and we’ll get through as many messages from the listeners as we can.”
In November, Zoe said she was looking forward to a “new chapter” following a turbulent year. The presenter took a six week break from her duties at the broadcaster due to the death of her mother and health issues.
Her mum, Julia, Julia had passed away, 74, in April last yar following the news that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Zoe paid tribute at the time and has been absent from BBC Radio breakfast show for a few weeks. Addressing listeners, Zoe said: “Good morning gang! Aww, how are you all you lovely sorts? First text in this morning – Lesley from Eastbourne [said] ‘Morning Zoe, so good to have you back.’ You say that now Lesley, give me ten minutes, you might change your mind! Lesley I hope you had a terrific weekend.”
Zoe continued: “So how are you all doing? Did you manage to enjoy some of the glorious weather this weekend? Even if five minutes in a busy weekend – so good for the soul. Thanks so much to Gaby for being here for you guys for the last few weeks and for being here for me. I’m so grateful to you all for your amazing messages about my dear mum.”
Zoe paid tribute to Julia when announcing that her late mother had passed away last month. Zoe said: “Sleep tight dear Mama. thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts. we are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other. your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us.”
But Zoe later took an extended period of absence from her job before her return in September, she said: “Morning gorgeous people its me Zoe the happy wanderer. I’ve wandered back. How was your Brat summer? Was it marvellous? We did that in the 90s it was called something different then…” she quipped. “I hope you’ve been enjoying some of the gorgeous sunsets over the last few weeks. It’s a tad soggy our end this morning. Take it easy out on the road.”
Before her decision to walk away, the show saw an increase in its audience. An average of 6.8 million people listened to Zoe’s show across the final quarter of the last year, according to Rajar. This was up 9% on the previous three months and the highest figure since 2023.
Radio 2’s Breakfast Show remains the most-listened to programme in the UK at that time of day, ahead of fellow BBC shows as well as commercial rivals like Chris Evans on Virgin Radio and Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden on Heart. Radio 2’s overall audience saw a similar jump to that enjoyed by Zoe, averaging 13.6 million across the three months to December, up 3 percent both on the previous quarter and year-on-year.
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