Broadcaster Zoe Ball has officially signed with Bauer Media Audio UK to host a new daily afternoon programme on Greatest Hits Radio.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, during a broadcast with Ken Bruce.
Her show, titled "Zoe Ball in the Afternoon," will air weekdays from 1 p. m.
to 4 p. m.
, starting Monday, September 7, 2026. Ball fills the slot previously held by Kate Thornton, who moves to a new weekend schedule.
Ball expressed excitement about returning to a daily radio format.
"There's something truly special about radio - the relationship you build with listeners, the energy, the music and the moments of joy and laughter you share together.
I've missed it and this felt like the right time to begin a new chapter with Greatest Hits Radio," she said.
She praised the station's growth and connection with music fans.
"As a station, Greatest Hits Radio has built something really brilliant - epic music, big personalities and a genuine connection with listeners.
I'm excited to be joining the team and getting started," Ball added.
The announcement was accompanied by a comedic spoof video featuring Ball alongside her former BBC Radio 2 colleagues.
In the video, Ball made a dramatic cloaked appearance before addressing her new colleagues in the studio. "Well, I couldn't let you have all the fun!"
she said.
Bauer Media Audio executives expressed pride in securing Ball for their daytime lineup. "Zoe is one of the UK's most talented and best-loved broadcasters.
She has an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences, a real passion for great music and we're delighted she's chosen to join Greatest Hits Radio," said Gary Stein, Director of Audio for Bauer Media Audio UK.
Greatest Hits Radio Content Director Andy Ashton shared that the production team is preparing for the autumn launch.
"I could not be more thrilled to welcome Zoe to the Greatest Hits Radio family.
The whole team are buzzing that another world class broadcaster will be part of our daytime line-up every weekday.
Zoe and the team are already working on the new show, and we can't wait to share it with everyone.
Roll on September 7th, and another huge moment for Greatest Hits Radio as the nation tunes in to hear Zoe hit play on her first song!"
he said.
Outgoing afternoon host Kate Thornton offered supportive words for her friend. "Zoe's an incredible signing, an incredible broadcaster and a good friend," she said.
The promotional video featured a scripted dialogue between presenters Simon Mayo and Ken Bruce. Mayo joked about the theatrical welcome ceremony.
"Although I got dragged to a welcome party, now I'm here in a cloak, I don't remember this fuss when I joined," he said.
Bruce reassured him, "You'll always be the OG Simon."
Mayo also shared thoughts about his own Drivetime show. "I think the thing about Drivetime is that it is like the flip side of breakfast.
You kind of know what an awful lot of people are doing, it's the end of most people's day, they're doing some final bits of work, they're shutting the laptop, they're doing a bit of food preparation, they're driving home.
I think it is that sense of camaraderie, it's the end of the day, people want to be cheered up and they want to spend some time with some decent folk on the radio!"
he said.
Other station presenters described their respective timeslots. Alex Lester said, "Your favourite songs.
Bizarre insights and unusual thoughts. It's just the two of us.
You and me. (Against the world)."
Jenny Powell detailed her weekend morning show: "A warm-up for the weekend, full of positive vibes and feel-good factor when you wake up on Saturdays and Sundays.
I insist you have a dance with me on the Kitchen Disco, I share some fun news stories from the previous week on The Headliners and get you smiling no matter what, sharing some of my favourite tracks from the 70s, 80, and 90s."
