Zoe Ball has opened up about her fears and mixed feelings regarding her new radio job, just weeks after missing out on a hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing. The 55-year-old former BBC Radio 2 presenter will host a new weekday afternoon show on Greatest Hits Radio from September 7.
Mixed Emotions About New Role
Speaking on the Dig It podcast, which she co-hosts, Ball admitted she is feeling nervous as she prepares for the 'scary' next chapter of her career. 'I'm so excited,' she said. 'You know how it's been, I lost [my] mum and I was like, "I want to take some time to be there for my girl" [her daughter Nelly] because I've always worked and never been around.'
Ball explained that her daughter, who has just finished her GCSEs, is now enjoying her freedom and has even asked her mother, 'What are you still doing here?' The presenter added that when the Strictly Come Dancing opportunity didn't work out, she began to reconsider her career path. 'I mean that was a long shot but having not worked, you suddenly start thinking, "Okay yeah I do need to go to work."'
New Show Details
Ball's new 1pm to 4pm slot on Greatest Hits Radio will allow her to balance work and family life. 'It's a lovely shift, it's 1 until 4, which is great because it means I get to be mum in the morning and mum in the evening, if I need to, and be around if she needs me, so that's good,' she said.
The show marks Ball's debut on Greatest Hits Radio, where she will join former BBC Radio 2 colleagues Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo. 'I get nervous about being the new girl again, but it's all good,' she confessed. 'I'll be playing great music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. At Greatest Hits Radio, they are a lovely team, they are such a brilliant team. They are such a brilliant station, they're really good folk and they have taken me on.'
Strictly Snub and 'Seven Stages of Grief'
Earlier this year, Ball auditioned to become one of the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing but was unsuccessful. The roles have since gone to Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, who will take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Reflecting on the disappointment, Ball said on the podcast: 'I didn't get it, but it's okay. I have worked through the seven stages of grief and rejection over the last couple of days.'
Ahead of the new hosts being announced, she added: 'If it's who I think has got it, we're in safe hands and our new hosts are going to be fabulous. I'm so thrilled for them, and hopefully at a later date, we'll be able to talk about them in more detail.'
Gratitude and Future Plans
Ball also took the opportunity to thank her BBC Radio 2 team for their support over the years, giving special praise to the station's head, Helen Thomas. She previously hosted BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show before moving to a Saturday afternoon programme.
Despite her nerves, Ball is looking forward to her new role. 'It was just too good to turn down, I was like, "Actually this is great", so I'm going to be back behind the mic, five days a week. We will still be podding, do not fear diggers!' she said.
