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Zoe Ball lands major TV hosting gig just months after emotionally quitting her BBC Radio 2 show

Zoe Ball lands major TV hosting gig just months after emotionally quitting her BBC Radio 2 show

The Sun25-04-2025
ZOE Ball's TV return has been confirmed after she emotionally quit her BBC Radio 2 show.
Last year the star, 54, hosted ITV's ABBA-inspired talent competition Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.
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The show saw hopefuls compete for the once-in-a-lifetime chance at being catapulted onto the West End to take over the lead roles as Sophie and Skye in the musical adaption of the movie.
However, The Sun revealed last year it had been axed by ITV bosses after just one series.
Mum-of-one Zoe also stepped down from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show after six years at the helm.
It's meant the broadcaster - who recently lost her mother Julia to cancer - has kept a low profile in recent months.
But now Zoe 's TV return has been revealed as she lands a huge gig with the BBC.
The broadcaster has announced VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember which will take place at the iconic Horse Guards Parade in London.
Zoe will present the live concert on Thursday 8 May from 8pm to 10pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Performing artists include Samantha Barks, Fleur East, John Newman, Victor Ray, Freya Ridings and. Keala Settle.
Renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Calum Scott, The Darkness, Toploader, Tom Walker, and the legendary classical singer Sir Willard White will also perform.
Zoe Ball sends emotional message to fans and breaks down in tears as she kicks off final ever Radio 2 Breakfast show
Strictly's Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, and Kai Widdrington will all perform a routine during the concert.
Meanwhile, The Sun previously revealed how Zoe Ball had signed up for the new series of Who Do You Think You Are?
An insider said: "Zoe comes from a famous family but not much is known beyond that.
"She was really excited to get be asked to the do show and is really looking forward to seeing what they find."
Zoe Ball's career so far
Zoe was born in Blackpool and is daughter of the children's TV presenter Johnny Ball and his wife Julia.
She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children's show, Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest.
The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays.
After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top of the Pops, when she alternated with the likes of Jayne Middlemiss and Jo Whiley.
In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One 's saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4.
But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997.
Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post.
The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, where she was succeeded by Sara Cox.
As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both Soapstar Superstar and Grease Is The Word in 2007.
In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as Radio X), when she was the voice of the weekday drivetime show until December 2003. In 2004, she stood in for Ricky Gervais while he filmed the second series of The Office.
In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Ian Waite, The star impressed viewers with her footwork and the duo waltzed into third place.
In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, It Takes Two.
She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries.
After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe announced she was quitting her role on BBC Two in May 2021.
Zoe's journey in BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries. Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O'Leary, Ken Bruce and Chris Evans.
After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot's Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm.
In October 2018, Chris Evans moved to Virgin Radio and he personally announced that Zoe would take over his popular slot. She started presenting the breakfast show on 14 January 2019.
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Who is Love Island Casa Amor contestant Andrada?

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The Chase's best quizzer of all time named
The Chase's best quizzer of all time named

Edinburgh Live

timean hour ago

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The Chase's best quizzer of all time named

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Since its premiere on ITV in 2009, The Chase has become one of the most beloved quiz shows in the annals of British television. Presented by Bradley Walsh, this fast-paced game sees eager contestants trying to outwit 'The Chaser' in a bid to secure a cash prize. Currently, there are six official Chasers on the programme: Mark Labbett, Shaun Wallace, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis. Each Chaser has their own moniker on the show and have become familiar faces in homes across the country, thanks to the success of the show and their appearances on the ITV spin-off, Beat the Chasers. But who is the top Chaser of them all? New research conducted by Betway has looked at factors such as accuracy, win rate, and highest target caught to determine the ultimate Chaser. Viewers might be taken aback to learn that when it comes to financial success, Paul Sinha takes the crown, reports the Daily Record. (Image: ITV) Paul 'The Sinnerman' Sinha boasts a 78 per cent win rate over his 436 appearances on The Chase. The quiz whizz's average target to beat stands at 19 and he holds the record for the highest average Chaser win total, raking in £14,651, making him the most financially successful chaser on the show. Meanwhile, Mark Labbett, also known as 'The Beast', has a 76 per cent win rate over 475 episodes since he first appeared on the show in 2009. Mark, the original Chaser of the show, holds the record for the highest average target to beat, at 20, and the highest accuracy in the final chase, answering 83% of questions correctly. On the other hand, Anne Hegerty, known as 'The Governess', is ranked as the top Chaser on television. With 467 appearances and a win rate of 79% - the joint highest of any Chaser - it's no surprise she's viewed as the most formidable opponent. In the final chase, Anne averages 13 correct answers within the 60-second timeframe, with an average target of 19, the second highest among her colleagues. Who is the most successful chaser on The Chase? Here are the data comparisons between Chasers Anne, Mark and Paul: Anne Hegerty - 467 appearances - 85 per cent accuracy - 79 per cent Chaser win rate - win total £12,815 Mark Labbett - 475 appearances - 83 per cent accuracy - 76 per cent Chaser win rate - win total £13,844 Paul Sinha - 436 appearances - 84 per cent accuracy - 78 per cent Chaser win rate - win total £14,651 The latest newcomer to the ITV programme is Darragh 'The Menace' Ennis who joined the show in November 2020. The Irish neuroscientist has made a strong start after 81 appearances, with a 78 per cent win rate and a highest final chase target of 23. Episodes of The Chase are available to watch on ITVX

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