Zoe Ball says it's ‘lovely to be back' as she returns to BBC Radio 2 after stepping down from breakfast show

The Irish Sun

03-05-2025

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
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Zoe is now back on the airwaves after a five month break
Credit: PA
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The star will now present the Saturday show from 1pm to 3pm
Credit: Instagram @bbcradio2
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Roisin Conarty joined Zoe as one of the first guests
Credit: Instagram @bbcradio2
She previously made a tearful
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".
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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
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Zoe even
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.
Emotional Zoe Ball's final farewell to BBC Radio 2 as she quits show and thanks staff for 'holding her up in her lowest moments'
As part of it, she
, 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
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
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
In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as
In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with
In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show,
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
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,
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,
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Zoe has been a longtime favourite for radio listeners
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The star bid a tearful farewell to the breakfast show in December
Credit: PA