Zoe Ball is to replace Chris Evans as the new host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show from the start of next year.
Evans, who announced he was leaving the BBC for Virgin Radio at the start of September, announced the news live on air this morning as part of his “great job Wednesday” segment.
“This is bonkers, I’m not underestimating the task ahead of me,” said Ball, adding that she “definitely didn’t expect to get the call” from Radio 2 bosses.
The 47-year-old was the first woman to host the breakfast show on Radio 1 and now repeats the honour on Radio 2. She becomes the eighth person to host the UK’s most listened-to breakfast show.Ball, who earned between £250,000 and £299,000 for her various presenting jobs at the BBC last year, is likely to get a significant pay rise for her new role.