Zoe Ball lands major TV hosting gig just months after emotionally quitting her BBC Radio 2 show

The Sun

25-04-2025

ZOE Ball's TV return has been confirmed after she emotionally quit her BBC Radio 2 show.
Last year the star, 54, hosted ITV's ABBA-inspired talent competition Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.
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The show saw hopefuls compete for the once-in-a-lifetime chance at being catapulted onto the West End to take over the lead roles as Sophie and Skye in the musical adaption of the movie.
However, The Sun revealed last year it had been axed by ITV bosses after just one series.
Mum-of-one Zoe also stepped down from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show after six years at the helm.
It's meant the broadcaster - who recently lost her mother Julia to cancer - has kept a low profile in recent months.
But now Zoe 's TV return has been revealed as she lands a huge gig with the BBC.
The broadcaster has announced VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember which will take place at the iconic Horse Guards Parade in London.
Zoe will present the live concert on Thursday 8 May from 8pm to 10pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Performing artists include Samantha Barks, Fleur East, John Newman, Victor Ray, Freya Ridings and. Keala Settle.
Renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Calum Scott, The Darkness, Toploader, Tom Walker, and the legendary classical singer Sir Willard White will also perform.
Zoe Ball sends emotional message to fans and breaks down in tears as she kicks off final ever Radio 2 Breakfast show
Strictly's Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, and Kai Widdrington will all perform a routine during the concert.
Meanwhile, The Sun previously revealed how Zoe Ball had signed up for the new series of Who Do You Think You Are?
An insider said: "Zoe comes from a famous family but not much is known beyond that.
"She was really excited to get be asked to the do show and is really looking forward to seeing what they find."
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.