Chris Evan’s replacement for BBC Radio 2 is confirmed

This is a first for the popular show...

(Image credit: Rex Features)

Zoe Ball has been unveiled as the new presenter of BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show.

Current host Chris Evans announced the news as part of his ‘great job Wednesday’ segment, just weeks after confirming he would be stepping down from the show.

Zoe - who will become the first woman to front popular early morning offering - revealed her surprise and delight at the appointment, saying:

‘This is bonkers. I’m not underestimating the task ahead of me’.

Before describing how she was feeling:

‘’A crazy mix of elation, wanting to burst into tears, wanting to run away... but mainly thrilled.’

A photo posted by on

Explaining the reasoning behind his shock decision to wave goodbye to his role of 13 years, Chris – who recently welcomed twins with wife Natasha Shishmanian – said last month:

‘I have absolutely loved every single moment of my time at Radio 2. The last 13 years have flashed by in what seems like the blink of an eye. I have learnt so much from so many people to whom I will be eternally grateful.

“As Sir Terry said before me, there’s never a right time to leave something you love but there might be a wrong time if you hang on too long.’

He also went to wish his successor the ‘very best’ as well as reassuring them that ‘they are in for an absolute blast’.

Figures released earlier this year show that a huge 9.43 million listeners tune into the show each week – the highest figure since 2016.

And it seems that the mum-of-two is a safe pair of hands, as she has already earned her radio stripes as the former host of The Radio 1 Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 1.

The 47-year-old – who admitted that she had known about her new position for ‘weeks’ - is also currently dominating our TV screens with ITV’s Zoe Ball on Saturday & Sunday.

Chris will present his last broadcast his last in December 2018, and Zoe hopes to continue hosting Strictly - It Takes Two after she takes over the airwaves.

“That’s my other favourite job. So I’m really hoping I’ll be able to do both,” she revealed.

Freelance Lifestyle Writer

Miriam Habtesellasie is a freelance lifestyle writer who has contributed content to GoodTo, Woman&Home, Women and Idealhome.co.uk. Miriam is based in London and is a fan of everything interiors, she admits to being spoilt for choice living in the capital. From stunning architecture right the way through to eye-catching department store window displays, she believes there’s always an angle to be found that can translate to our abodes.