Zoe Ball Announces New On-Air Role Following Radio 2 Exit

Zoe Ball has announced she’s making a return to the airwaves after stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 show last year.

In December 2025, Zoe announced she was leaving her Saturday afternoon slot on Radio 2, which she took up after leaving the station’s flagship breakfast show so she could spend more time with her family.

“Spending Saturday lunchtimes with the Radio 2 gang has been an absolute hoot,” she said at the time, saying she’ll miss “the listeners, the stories, and of course my weekly giggles with Romesh [Ranganathan] and Rylan [Clark]”.

Zoe added that she was “over the moon for the fabulous Emma [Willis] to take the reins” describing her successor as “pure sunshine”, while the BBC added that Zoe would “continue to host specials” on Radio 2, “as she has done throughout 2025”.

However, on Tuesday, it was revealed that Zoe would be picking up a new weekday afternoon show on Greatest Hits Radio, which is already the home of her former Radio 2 colleagues Simon Mayo and Ken Bruce.

“There’s something truly special about radio – the relationship you build with listeners, the energy, the music and the moments of joy and laughter you share together,” she enthused.

“I’ve missed it and this felt like the right time to begin a new chapter with Greatest Hits Radio.”

Zoe’s latest venture has been announced just weeks after she made no secret of her disappointment at not landing the role as one of Strictly Come Dancing’s new hosts.

Speaking on her podcast Dig It, she said: “I didn’t get it. But it’s OK! I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.

“I didn’t get it, but I tell you what, if who I think has got it, we’re in safe hands and our new hosts are going to be fabulous.”

Shortly afterwards, it was revealed that Emma Willis would be taking over at the helm of Strictly alongside professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe.