ZOE Ball has made her triumphant return to BBC Radio 2 as she debuted her new Saturday radio show today.
The 54-year-old star has now returned to “where it all began” by signing on to the Saturday afternoon slot.
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She previously made a tearful goodbye to the Breakfast show after six years at the end of 2024.
As she made her comeback, taking over the headphones from Rylan, Zoe told listeners: “Hello it’s me, oh it’s lovely to be back on a Saturday.
“This is where it all began for me, back in the day when I used to sweep up and make the teas.”
She will be maintaining a slot every Saturday from 1pm to 3pm, and has been billed as “the best songs and chat for a Saturday”.
She was joined on her first show by Roisin Conarty for a natter, as well as having a catch up with old pal, Rylan.
Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, previously said: “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.”
In recent months, Zoe has kept a low profile and focused on renovating her garden, making some public work appearances in the process.
She also played a part in the BBC’s VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember, which is taking place at the iconic Horse Guards Parade in London.
Zoe even worked shifts in at Big Beach Café in Hove with her ex-husband Norm ‘Fatboy Slim’ Cook, who she’s been married to since 1999.
The long-time radio favourite decided to leave her Breakfast show last year, explaining she wanted to spend more time with her family after the death of her mum.
As part of it, she flew to New York to spend time with son, Woody, who was making music over there.
In an emotional final farewell to listeners, the DJ paid tribute to her “hero” – fellow station star Jo Whiley – and her team on the show, saying they “held me up, quite literally, when I was at my lowest”.
She was replaced in the slot by Scott Mills.
Zoe Ball’s career so far
Zoe was born in Blackpool and is daughter of the children’s TV presenter Johnny Ball and his wife Julia.
She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children’s show, Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest.
The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays.
After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top of the Pops, when she alternated with the likes of Jayne Middlemiss and Jo Whiley.
In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One‘s saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4.
But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997.
Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post.
The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, where she was succeeded by Sara Cox.
As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both Soapstar Superstar and Grease Is The Word in 2007.
In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as Radio X), when she was the voice of the weekday drivetime show until December 2003. In 2004, she stood in for Ricky Gervais while he filmed the second series of The Office.
In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Ian Waite, The star impressed viewers with her footwork and the duo waltzed into third place.
In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, It Takes Two.
She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries.
After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe announced she was quitting her role on BBC Two in May 2021.
Zoe’s journey in BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries. Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O’Leary, Ken Bruce and Chris Evans.
After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot’s Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm.
In October 2018, Chris Evans moved to Virgin Radio and he personally announced that Zoe would take over his popular slot. She started presenting the breakfast show on 14 January 2019.
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