Zoe Ball has landed a major TV hosting gig just months after quitting her breakfast radio show. The broadcaster and presenter, 54, will present a concert organised to mark VE Day from 8pm to 10pm on May 8.
The live concert, called VE Day 80: A Celebration to Remember, will see artists including Samantha Barks, Fleur East, John Newman, Victor Ray, Freya Ridings and Keala Settle perform.
There will also be performances by Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Calum Scott, The Darkness, Toploader, Tom Walker, as well as Sir Willard White. And Strictly Come Dancing pros Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, and Kai Widdrington will perform a routine too.
Veterans and wartime heroes will reflect on their experiences of VE Day throughout the evening. The concert, which will air on BBC One and iPlayer, will be broadcast from Horse Guards Parade in London.
As reported by the BBC, Zoe said of her new gig: “I’m truly honoured to play a small role in the celebrations of such a momentous occasion. My dear Dad Johnny Ball was 6 years old on VE Day, his memories of that time are incredible.
“Our great grandparents, and grandparents, our families, our nation went through so much. The bravery and sacrifices of so many for our freedom, we must always remember and this will be a very special night with some magnificent performances.”
Zoe left her early morning breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 earlier this year, with her close friend Scott Mills taking over hosting duties. But in May, she will return to Radio 2 with her new Saturday show between 1 and 3pm, playing some of her favourite hits which she has promised to showcase her having “lots of laughs” as well as striking up a bond with her listeners.
Announcing the news in February, Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: “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 announced that she would be departing her breakfast show just months after her extended absence from the show during the summer following her mother’s death.
In a statement on air, she said that she believed it was time to “start a new chapter” after six years of early starts. However, she confirmed that she would be still be working with Radio 2 in some capacity after her exit. Zoe burst into tears during her last Breakfast show.
Introducing the programme, she revealed that the whole team were back together for her final farewell but admitted: “We’ve had some tears already. We don’t quite know what to do with ourselves this morning, do we? I’ve come in and I suddenly can’t remember how to press the button.”
Zoe continued: “We’re all pretending we’re going to be OK, that the emotion isn’t getting to us – but it’s definitely getting to us. So hold tight! But Richie, so many nice comments yesterday – made me blub my eyes out!” She added: “I’ve already had a little cry on Patrick! But we’re going to have lots of fun today. We’re playing some of my favourite records today – both Christmassy and non-Christmassy ones and we’ll get through as many messages from the listeners as we can.”
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