Zoe Ball

Zoe Ball is a renowned British broadcaster with a career that spans across television, radio, and live events. Having made her mark as the first woman to host the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show, she later became the first female host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, the UK's most listened-to radio programme. Zoe stepped down from her role on Radio 2 in December 2024 after a successful six-year stint.

The daughter of 1970s-80s Think of A Number and Playaway TV presenter, Johnny Ball, Zoe began her media career as a runner at Granada Television and researcher on BSkyB before spending two years as a researcher for quiz shows.

After presenting the much-lauded Live & Kicking on the BBC from 1997-2000, Zoe was also the first woman to front the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show alone, winning her a new legion of fans and not to mention a Sony Gold Award. She presented it until March 2000 when her best friend Sara Cox took over.

Zoe Ball continued her on screen partnership with Jamie Theakston for three successful series of 'The Priory' (Ginger Prods) for Channel 4 and presented the BBC series 'Class Of...'. She then presented the Saturday night BBC3 coverage of 'Strictly Dance Fever' and ITV's Specials, 'Queenmania' and 'Elvismania'.

Zoe also presented C4's 'Big Breakfast', CBBC's 'The O-zone', 'Playdays' on weekday mornings and 'Fully Booked'.

Her decade-long role on BBC2’s It Takes Two provided viewers with exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into Strictly Come Dancing, making her a key figure in one of the UK's most popular TV franchises.

Beyond Strictly, Zoe has appeared on numerous TV shows, including Gogglebox and Taskmaster, further solidifying her presence in the entertainment world. She has also hosted I Have a Dream for ITV, where she supported a group of aspiring actors trying to secure a spot on the West End stage and Garden of the Year for Channel 4.

Her career extends into charity work with the Motor Neurone Disease Association, The Circle and The Princes Trust. She’s also hosted huge live events such as Children In Need, The Brits and Comic Relief.

In 2019, Zoe raised over £1 million for Comic Relief through her Hardest Road Home challenge. She cycled 350 miles in 5 days from Blackpool to Brighton.