Zoe Ball has finally signed on the dotted line for her next radio job and will be fronting the weekday afternoons on Greatest Hits Radio later this year
Zoe Ball has finally confirmed her next radio job. The former BBC Radio 2 anchor earned between £515,000 and £519,999 for her position at the corporation.
However, the 55-year-old has now signed to front the weekday afternoon slot on Greatest Hits Radio, taking over from Kate Thornton on September 7. But it will be a familiar setting for Ball, who’ll be presenting between her former Radio 2 colleagues, Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo.
Zoe left her Radio 2 Breakfast Show slot in 2024 and then walked away from her Saturday afternoon show just last year. The broadcaster was one of the corporation’s highest-paid stars. Earlier this year, she auditioned to host Strictly Come Dancing – but didn’t land the job on the dancing competition.
The news of Zoe’s new role was confirmed on social media this morning in a The Traitors-style video showing Mayo and Bruce uncloak themselves before Zoe reveals herself and makes her presence known to her pals.
“One more from the old place! Please welcome our newest recruit,” Greatest Hits Radio said on Instagram, adding: “Zoe Ball in the Afternoon launches 7th September 2026, only on Greatest Hits Radio.”
Speaking about her new role, Zoe said: “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.
“I’ve missed it, and this felt like the right time to begin a new chapter with Greatest Hits Radio. As a station, Greatest Hits Radio has built something really brilliant – epic music, big personalities and a genuine connection with listeners. I’m excited to be joining the team and getting started.”
After her exit from Radio 2, Zoe had hoped to stay with the BBC and auditioned to present Strictly Come Dancing. She had previously competed on the show as a contestant and later fronted the spin-off, It Takes Two, in 2021.
But the bosses behind the dancing competition later signed Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe as the new presenters, leaving Zoe devastated. Speaking about not getting the role, she told pal Jo Whiley that she had been “working through the seven stages of grief and rejection.”
“I didn’t get it, but it’s OK,” said Zoe. “I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days. I was so chuffed to even be in the mix. There were some pretty amazing people who didn’t even make it into the mix. So I made it in the mix, and I had a really fun time having one last little play at a show that I love and adore.”
However, the veteran broadcaster later confided that she was “thrilled” by the additions of Josh, Emma and Johannes. She said: “I think there’s been so many eyes on this whole process, everyone’s quite relieved now that a decision has been made and the right decision has been made.”
Kate Thornton, who will be replaced by Zoe, said: “Zoe’s an incredible signing, an incredible broadcaster and a good friend. I’ll be first in line to welcome her to the Greatest Hits Family, and I’m really looking forward to working alongside her!”
Kate is set to launch a new prime-time weekend show that airs on Saturdays. Andy Ashton, Greatest Hits Radio Content Director, said of Zoe’s signing: “I could not be more thrilled to welcome Zoe to the Greatest Hits Radio family.
“The whole team are buzzing that another world-class broadcaster will be part of our daytime line-up every weekday. Zoe and the team are already working on the new show, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone. Roll on September 7th, and another huge moment for Greatest Hits Radio as the nation tunes in to hear Zoe hit play on her first song!”
Speaking about her BBC exit last year, Zoe said: “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.
“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.”
Ball spent almost six years as the voice of early mornings. She returned to the station just shy of five months later, taking the 1pm to 3pm slot on Saturdays.
At the time of her departure, Zoe said she wanted to “focus on her family” and escape the “very early mornings,” citing her 4am alarm clock as taking its toll on her.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
