Radio 2 announce Zoe Ball’s new show amidst schedule shakeup
Zoe is back!
Radio 2 today announced programme changes, including a new weekly show with Zoe Ball, plus she’ll be hosting two specials including a BBC TV show celebrating Elaine Paige’s 60 year career in showbusiness.
There’s a focus on brass music with a Sunday Night is Music Night concert in Bradford as the centrepiece, a nostalgic schedule move for Pick of the Pops, Radio 2’s biggest ever commitment to Country music, a star-studded tribute to Johnnie Walker, plus lots more.
Zoe Ball will launch a Saturday show (1-3pm) from May, playing some of her favourite music and having lots of laughs reconnecting with listeners.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Zoe is one of the UK’s most loved presenters, so I’m thrilled to announce that she has a new home on Radio 2 on Saturday lunchtimes, plus she’ll be hosting various specials for us throughout the year.”
Zoe, who presented her last Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Friday 20th December after six years, most recently presented two episodes of Christmas Crooners over the festive period. As previously announced, she will also host Elaine Paige: 60 Years in Showbusiness, a world exclusive concert honouring the extraordinary career of the station’s host of Elaine Paige on Sunday (1-3pm). On Friday 25th April, the cream of musical theatre - including Samantha Barks (winner of The Masked Singer 2025, Frozen, Les Misérables, Oliver!, Chicago), Mazz Murray (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Chicago, We Will Rock You), Julian Ovenden (Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, South Pacific), Charlie Stemp (Half a Sixpence, Hello, Dolly, Kiss Me, Kate), and Summer Strallen (Love Never Dies, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls) - will perform some of Elaine’s most adored songs at the London Palladium, which will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Sunday 4th May (8-10pm) - tickets are available on the Radio 2 Tickets page.
A special this April for Radio 2 and BBC TV, will see Elaine in conversation with Zoe in which Elaine tells the story of her incredible life and career. We’ll hear exclusive stories behind some of Elaine’s best known songs as well as her tales from behind the red velvet curtains of London’s glittering West End.
Also in May, Pick of the Pops, hosted by Mark Goodier and currently broadcast each Saturday lunchtime (1-3pm), will move to a new home of Sundays (5-7pm).
Mark says: “I presented my first BBC Radio 1 Top 40 in 1988, so I hope bringing Pick of the Pops to the traditional Sunday afternoon chart show home is an irresistible invitation to pop fans of all generations to join me for a nostalgic look back to some of the greatest songs from across the decades.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Placing Pick of the Pops in the live early evening Sunday slot is a throwback to years gone by, when we’d gather around the radio to listen to the chart countdown, and we didn’t have access to programming in our pocket. These days, Pick of the Pops fans can listen to the programme on demand, at any time and anywhere that suits them, on BBC Sounds.”
Rob Beckett has decided to step down from his Sunday afternoon 5-7pm show in April, just before Easter, but will continue to appear on Radio 2 as a cover presenter.
Rob says: “I’ve had such a laugh each Sunday getting to know the listeners, but as my tour schedule hots up and my family forget what I look like, I’ve decided to step away from a weekly show. But you won’t get away from me that easily as I’ll be back presenting shows on Radio 2 later in the year when normal service is resumed!”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “I’d like to thank Rob for his brilliant work every Sunday evening. He’ll stay within the Radio 2 family and will be heard on the station at a later date.”
Richie Anderson, who presents the traffic and travel news every Monday – Thursday (noon-7pm), will launch a new Sunday night into Monday morning show (midnight-3am) in April, broadcasting live from BBC MediaCity in Salford.
Richie says: “It’s always been a dream of mine to have my own show on Radio 2 and I’m delighted that dream has come true! I’m raring to go and can’t wait to get to know the night owls around the UK as the weekend comes to a close and we head into a brand new week.”
Phil Williams will continue as a cover presenter on Radio 2, including deputising for OJ Borg.
For the Radio 2 Loves Country season in March, the station will broadcast more programming than ever before to celebrate Country music, shining a spotlight on the much loved musical genre, long supported by the station.
Once again, Radio 2 will be at Europe’s biggest Country music festival, C2C – Country to Country, in London, Belfast and Glasgow from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th March. As the official broadcast partner of C2C since 2013, highlights will be aired across three days and beyond, led by Radio 2’s Country Show presenter, Bob Harris. As well as presenting acts on stage at The O2 in London, Bob will be fronting shows live on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds during the weekend on Saturday (3-6pm) and Sunday (8-10pm) where he’ll be joined by musicians for live performances and key moments from the main stage from some of the world’s most popular Country stars and the cream of emerging talent from Nashville and Europe. Four-time Grammy®-nominated artist, Mickey Guyton, will share hosting duties with Bob on stage and on air. Bob will preview the festival on his Country Show on Thursday 13th February (9-10pm) and reviewing the weekend the following week (Thursday 20th March).
Bob says: “I have been proud to host the Country to Country Festival in London since its inception in 2013 and it has been a joy to watch it grow to become one of the most important events in the global Country music calendar. Radio 2 has been with the Festival from the very first day, helping Country music to become Britain’s fastest growing music genre.”
Additionally, Radio 2’s Friday afternoon traffic and travel presenter and Country music fan, Bobbie Pryor, will be hosting the BBC Radio 2 Live Stage at indigo at The O2 across the weekend.