BBC Radio 2’s Zoe Ball has hosted her final Saturday show on the BBC radio station today, after announcing she would be stepping down from the role last weekend
23:30, 20 Dec 2025Updated 23:30, 20 Dec 2025
Zoe’s final BBC Radio 2 Saturday show is on air(Image: PA)
Zoe Ball bid an emotional goodbye to her listeners as she presented her last Saturday show on BBC Radio 2 today.
In a final radio show this afternoon filled with Christmas tunes, where she was joined by guests including Ricky Gervais, Joel Dommett and Angela Hartnett, she gave a heartfelt farewell, saying: “It’s just time for me to say thank you so much for listening on Saturday afternoons. Don’t forget to look after the gorgeous Emma Willis when she joins you in the New Year.”
She then expressed ‘huge respect’ to her listeners for their support before signing off with “Merry Christmas, love ya!”, followed by Chris Rea’s Driving Home For Christmas as her final song.
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Last weekend, while live on air, presenter Zoe announced she was stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 Saturday show. She revealed that she would be replaced by Emma Willis, whom she referred to as “superwoman”.
Although Zoe has relinquished her regular hosting duties, she will continue to present special shows for the station, reports the Mirror.
This morning, ahead of her final show, Zoe was seen in high spirits as she arrived at BBC Studios. She was all smiles as she posed for photos with fans waiting outside before going on air for the last time.
Opening the programme for the final time today, Zoe confessed there ‘would be tears’ – but then mentioned another BBC departure occurring today. She remarked: “Ooh they’ll be tears tonight, Tess and Claud’s last show – oh – hold tight girls, it’s going to be amazing. Who do you want to win? Hello by the way! ,” before launching the show with Slade’s Merry Xmas Everybody.
When she revealed the news last week, she informed listeners: “I have loved being betwixt my dear friends Romesh (Ranganathan) and Rylan (Clark), 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. But I am thrilled to tell you that you will be in the safest of hands, because there is a superwoman who is no stranger to you all, but this does mean that she will officially become a member of the Radio 2 family.
“You’ll have loved her on The Voice, The Circle, Big Brother, Cooking With The Stars, Love Is blind, and delivering babies, she’s a gorgeous lass, so welcome to the BBC Radio 2 family and Saturday afternoons, Emma Willis.”
Discussing her new role, 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!” In a statement, she added: “It’s really exciting, and it’s quite nerve-racking as well, because you’ve got, you always have fantastic boots and shoes, but they are very big boots and shoes to step into Zoe Ball.”
Last year, Zoe departed the Radio 2 breakfast programme after nearly six years, before returning to host the Saturday slot from 1pm to 3pm weekly.
During her exit, Zoe explained she wished to “focus on her family” whilst also avoiding the “very early mornings,” referencing how her 4am alarm was affecting her wellbeing. This situation had deteriorated following various personal challenges, including her mother Julia’s passing in April 2024, alongside health concerns.
Zoe has been candid about her temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) diagnosis, which leaves her experiencing headaches. She ranked as the top-earning female on-air talent in 2023/2024, earning between £950,000 and £954,999.
This positioned her as the second highest-paid presenter, trailing only Gary Lineker.
