Zoe Ball has confirmed she is stepping away from her BBC Radio 2 programme, marking another significant shift in a broadcasting career that has spanned nearly three decades.
Speaking live on her lunchtime show, the 55-year-old presenter revealed that her final broadcast will air on December 20. She also announced that Emma Willis will take over the slot, a move that brings a familiar and well-loved face into the Radio 2 family.
Although Zoe is leaving her regular show, she was quick to reassure listeners that she is not disappearing entirely. She will continue to return for special programmes, including festive editions and a new “eras” show planned for the coming year.
Zoe’s decision comes after almost twenty years associated with Radio 2 in various roles. She most recently took on the lunchtime slot after stepping down from the Radio 2 Breakfast Show in 2024, which she hosted for six years.
Her departure also follows reports that BBC bosses have been quietly testing potential new presenting partnerships for Strictly Come Dancing. A shortlist of ten high-profile names — including Zoe — were reportedly involved in confidential chemistry tests as the broadcaster considers future hosting line-ups for the flagship show.
Zoe moved into the Saturday afternoon role shortly after returning from a four-and-a-half-month break from radio, taken following the death of her mother, Julia, who passed away from cancer. The period marked a deeply personal chapter for the presenter, who has spoken openly about prioritising family and wellbeing.
During her announcement, Zoe spoke warmly about her colleagues, joking about sitting between Romesh Ranganathan and Rylan Clark, and expressing affection for both the team and listeners. She emphasised that the transition would leave the show in safe hands.
Emma Willis, who has been named as her replacement, shared her excitement at joining Radio 2 full-time. She described the opportunity as a genuine honour, praising Zoe as someone she both admires and adores. Emma added that she is looking forward to spending her Saturday lunchtimes with listeners and joked about becoming the “filling” between Romesh and Rylan.
Emma brings extensive presenting experience to the role, having fronted hit shows including The Voice, Big Brother, The Circle, Cooking With The Stars and Love Is Blind. She previously hosted on the Heart network and has appeared regularly on Radio 2 as a cover presenter since 2019.
Tributes quickly followed Zoe’s announcement. Rylan Clark shared a heartfelt message on social media, sending his love to Zoe and welcoming Emma into what he jokingly referred to as his “radio marriage”.
Zoe Ball’s broadcasting journey began in the mid-1990s when she co-hosted the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show alongside Kevin Greening. She later made history as the first woman to present the flagship slot solo. After leaving Radio 1 in 2000, she moved through commercial radio before returning to the BBC, where she became closely associated with Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two, hosting the show for a decade.
Her relationship with Radio 2 dates back to 2006, initially fronting documentaries and covering for established presenters before eventually taking on Dermot O’Leary’s Saturday slot. In 2019, she stepped into Chris Evans’ role as breakfast host, remaining there until 2024.
Following her departure from the breakfast show, Zoe took time away from broadcasting, during which she even worked shifts at Big Beach Café in Hove alongside her ex-husband Norman “Fatboy Slim” Cook. She later returned to radio with the lunchtime programme, though she has since spoken about health challenges, including a painful battle with bursitis.
As Zoe prepares to sign off later this month, her exit marks the end of another era — but not the end of her presence at Radio 2. For listeners, it is a farewell tinged with gratitude rather than finality, as one of Britain’s most recognisable radio voices takes a step back while keeping a foot firmly in the studio door.