ZOE BALL JOINS GREATEST HITS RADIO IN WEEKDAY AFTERNOON SLOT

Zoe Ball has signed to present the weekday afternoon programme on Greatest Hits Radio, beginning 7 September. Ball, who previously earned between £515,000 and £519,999 annually at BBC Radio 2, will take over the slot from Kate Thornton. The announcement was confirmed by Greatest Hits Radio on social media. Ball will present alongside former BBC Radio 2 colleagues Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo.

Ball departed her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show position in 2024 and left her Saturday afternoon programme the following year. Earlier in 2026, she auditioned to present Strictly Come Dancing but the role went to Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. Ball had previously competed as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing and presented the spin-off programme It Takes Two in 2021. Speaking about her new role, Ball stated that radio offered "something truly special" and that joining Greatest Hits Radio represented "the right time to begin a new chapter."

Greatest Hits Radio described Ball as "our newest recruit" and emphasised the station's "epic music, big personalities and a genuine connection with listeners." The move represents a significant personnel shift, with Ball and her former BBC colleagues now working for the rival broadcaster. Ball expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of "getting started" and rejoining colleagues from her previous employer.