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Zoe Ball announced live on air on Saturday that she is quitting her weekend show on BBC Radio 2 after just seven months, with her final broadcast just days away.
The DJ, 55, who returned to the station in May after stepping down from the flagship Breakfast Show last year, will be replaced by Emma Willis, 49.
Zoe revealed she will be hosting her final Saturday show on December 20, but will ‘not disappear completely’ and return to host specials on Radio 2.
Revealing Emma’s identity to listeners, she said: ‘I have loved being betwixt my dear friends [and fellow presenters] Romesh [Ranganathan] and Rylan, 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. I am thrilled to tell you that you will be in the safest of hands, because there is a super woman who is no stranger to you all, but this does mean that she will officially become a member of the Radio 2 family.’
In an official statement Zoe said: ‘Spending Saturday lunchtimes with the Radio 2 gang has been an absolute hoot, the listeners, the stories, and of course my weekly giggles with Romesh and Rylan’.
Before adding: ‘I am over the moon for the fabulous Emma to take the reins, she’s pure sunshine and is going to bring all the joy (and tunes!) to your Saturdays!’.
Meanwhile Emma said: ‘I’m a huge fan of Radio 2, so I’m absolutely chuffed to be joining the family – and it’s a real honour to follow in the huge footsteps Zoe leaves behind, who’s someone I admire and adore’.
‘I’m very much looking forward to spending my Saturday lunchtimes with the Radio 2 audience and I’ll happily be the filling to a Romesh and Rylan sandwich!’.
The BBC later took to Instagram to confirm the news as well as plugging Zoe’s first special programme for the station.
They said: ‘Zoe will continue to host specials on the station and her first new project is a new series of the award-winning Eras podcast for Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, focusing on the life and legendary career of Phil Collins.’
Emma is no stranger to Radio 2 and has guest hosted shows in the past, she is best known for her TV work hosting The Voice and Love Is Blind UK alongside husband and Busted star Matt Willis, 42.
Taking to the comments, fans and famous friends were quick to praise Zoe as they wished her well.
Rylan gushed: ‘Love you @Zoeball the world. Get those feet up. And @Emmawillis the TV wife… now you’re my radio wife’.
Emma commented heart emojis, while TV’s Gareth Malone quipped: ‘Bookies take note’ hinting Zoe could be leaving to take on the role of new Strictly host.
While fans wrote: ‘I will miss you Zoe Ball’: ‘Strange to see Zoe leave so quickly after taking up the slot earlier this year’: ‘Congratulations’: ‘Fantastic news congrats’: ‘Great news’: ‘Woohoo can’t wait!! Loved Emma when she has stood in for others on Radio 2! What a brilliant addition to Saturdays’.
Zoe was replaced by Scott Mills after stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in December last year to ‘focus on her family’, bidding farewell to her £950,000 salary.
Her departure came after an extended break earlier that year following her mother Julia’s death from pancreatic cancer in April 2024.
Zoe fought back tears as she revealed she had an emotional breakdown following her mother’s death and the sheer impact it had on her, revealing she was forced to take time off work following a breakdown.
Speaking on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, Zoe said: ‘I couldn’t work. I was on the floor in the kitchen. I couldn’t, I couldn’t move.
‘I had a proper emotional breakdown, you know, I haven’t really talked about it actually. But it was, yeah, it was brutal.
‘I had an amazing doctor who turned up at my door with coffee and bagels and said, “so, we need to get you some help”, and he was wonderful.’
Announcing her mother’s death on social media, Zoe wrote: ‘Sleep tight dear Mama.
‘Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts. We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other.’
