The 55-year-old presenter Zoe Ball has announced she’s leaving her Saturday afternoon slot on BBC Radio 2, with Voice host Emma Willis set to take over the show
Zoe Ball has revealed she’s stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 presenting duties. The 55 year old broadcaster has also disclosed that television favourite Emma Willis will be taking over her slot.
Breaking the news to her audience, Zoe shared: “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.”
She continued: “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.
“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.”
Speaking about her new role, Emma said: “I’m a huge fan of Radio 2, so I’m absolutely chuffed to be joining the family – and it’s a real honour to follow in the huge footsteps Zoe leaves behind, who’s someone I admire and adore.
“I’m very much looking forward to spending my Saturday lunchtimes with the Radio 2 audience, and I’ll happily be the filling to a Romesh and Rylan sandwich!”
“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.”
In a statement, Zoe said that spending Saturdays with Radio 2 listeners had been “an absolute hoot”, hearing stories and her “weekly giggles” with Rylan and Romesh had been one of her highlights. She added that she was “over the moon” for Emma to be taking over from her.
Emma Willis is no stranger to radio, having previously hosted on the Heart network between 2012 and 2018. She later went on to become a cover presenter of Radio 2 in 2019. Zoe became the first woman to present the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show on her own after Kevin Greening left the programme in 1998.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
