Zoe Ball lands daily afternoon show on Greatest Hits Radio
Zoe Ball is joining Greatest Hits Radio to host a new weekday show, Zoe Ball in the Afternoon, airing from 1pm to 4pm starting Monday, 7 September 2026. The award-winning broadcaster announced the move on air with Ken Bruce on 30 June, marking her first daily radio programme since leaving BBC Radio 2 Breakfast.
Key Takeaways
- Zoe Ball in the Afternoon launches weekdays 1pm–4pm from 7 September 2026.
- She slots between Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo on Greatest Hits Radio's daytime lineup.
- The show replaces Kate Thornton's weekday slot; Thornton moves to a new Saturday programme.
- Expect guests, listener chats, and a Friday feature called Something for the Weekend.
- Ball will continue co-hosting the Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley alongside the new show.
What is Zoe Ball's new show on Greatest Hits Radio?
The programme is called Zoe Ball in the Afternoon and will air every weekday from 1pm to 4pm. Bauer Media says it will feature big guests, listener chats, and a recurring Friday segment titled Something for the Weekend.
It marks Zoe Ball's first daily radio show since she hosted the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. Greatest Hits Radio Content Director Andy Ashton said the team is already working on the new programme and called it "another huge moment for Greatest Hits Radio."
When does Zoe Ball start on Greatest Hits Radio?
Zoe Ball's first show is scheduled for Monday, 7 September 2026. The news was revealed on Tuesday, 30 June, when Ball joined Ken Bruce on-air to share details about the appointment.
A video reveal also showed Ball alongside Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo in a familiar turret setting, underscoring how Bauer is building a stacked daytime roster of veteran broadcasters on the station.
Who is Zoe Ball replacing on the schedule?
According to RadioToday, Zoe Ball is taking over Kate Thornton's weekday afternoon show from 7 September. Thornton is not leaving the station entirely — she will present a new Saturday programme and remain on UK Pop 40 on Sundays.
Claire Sturgess will also join the weekend lineup, presenting Greatest Hits Radio's Breakfast Show from 6am to 9am on Saturdays and Sundays. Ball joins a presenter roster that already includes Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo, Jenny Powell, Rossie, and Jackie Brambles.
Why does Zoe Ball's move matter for UK radio?
Greatest Hits Radio has steadily recruited high-profile voices from BBC Radio in recent years, and Ball's arrival reinforces that trend. She will sit between Ken Bruce's mid-morning show and Simon Mayo at drivetime, giving the station a continuous block of established presenters through peak listening hours.
For listeners who follow how broadcast platforms evolve, the shift also highlights how commercial networks like Bauer are competing for talent once concentrated at the BBC. More on how media and technology are reshaping entertainment is in our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.
Ball will keep one foot in podcasting too, continuing to co-host the chart-topping Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley. For full details on the announcement, see the official Bauer Media press release.