Zoe Ball uncloaked as latest recruit for Greatest Hits Radio
Zoe Ball in the Afternoon launches this September!
Last updated 2 hours ago
We are delighted to announce that legendary radio presenter Zoe Ball is joining Greatest Hits Radio, with a brand new show called Zoe Ball in the Afternoon!
Joining presenters including Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo, Kate Thornton, Jenny Powell, Rossie and Jackie Brambles, Zoe will officially become part of the Greatest Hits Radio family in September, with her new show launching on Monday 7th September 2026.
Zoe Ball in the Afternoon is a chance to bring the nation together every afternoon – united in the music that soundtracked our generation; the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Talking about the move Zoe said: "There’s something truly special about radio - the relationship you build with listeners, the energy, the music and the moments of joy and laughter you share together. I've missed it and this felt like the right time to begin a new chapter with Greatest Hits Radio. As a station, Greatest Hits Radio has built something really brilliant - epic music, big personalities and a genuine connection with listeners. I’m excited to be joining the team and getting started."
The news of Zoe’s new show was announced on Tuesday 30th June, as Zoe joined Ken Bruce to share more details about Zoe’s brand new show. The news was also accompanied by a video reveal showing the moment when the dream team of Zoe, Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo first came together to reveal the station’s latest recruit in a very familiar turret!
Watch the video below:
In the video, Ken and Simon are stood around the Greatest Hits Radio studio with their cloaks, before dramatically dropping their hoods.
Simon says: “Can’t believe we’ve managed to get another one from the old place Ken,” with Ken adding: “Less of the old, thank you!”
“Although I got dragged to a welcome party, now I’m here in a cloak, I don’t remember this fuss when I joined,” says Simon, before Ken assures him: “You’ll always be the OG Simon.”
As Simon says: “I hope they liked our note,” the camera pans to an unknown figure wearing a cloak at the bottom of the corridor, before they pick up a lantern and discover Simon’s note.
Cloaked up and hiding their identity, the unknown figure walks down a candle lit corridor towards Ken and Simon, before the Greatest Hits Radio Oath voiceover says: “We now need you to take the Greatest Hits Radio oath.”
Following the oath, the unknown figure then slowly walks back down the corridor, before the camera pans to Ken and Simon in the studio, with Ken saying to Simon: “Oh they’re here, are you ready?”
Following a knock at the door, all three have their hoods up, before Ken and Simon drop theirs, closely followed seconds later by new recruit… ZOE BALL!
Zoe then excitedly says to Ken and Simon: “Well, I couldn’t let you have all the fun!”
Gary Stein, Bauer Media Audio’s Director of Audio, said: "Zoe is one of the UK’s most talented and best-loved broadcasters. She has an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences, a real passion for great music and we’re delighted she’s chosen to join Greatest Hits Radio."
Greatest Hits Radio Content Director, Andy Ashton, added: "I could not be more thrilled to welcome Zoe to the Greatest Hits Radio family. The whole team are buzzing that another world class broadcaster will be part of our daytime line-up every weekday. Zoe and the team are already working on the new show, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone. Roll on September 7th, and another huge moment for Greatest Hits Radio as the nation tunes in to hear Zoe hit play on her first song! "
When does Zoe Ball start on Greatest Hits Radio?
Zoe’s first show will be on Monday 7th September 2026.
What is the show called?
The show, every weekday from 1pm, will be called Zoe Ball in the Afternoon.
How can I listen?
Sandwiched between Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo, Zoe Ball in the Afternoon will air weekdays 1pm-4pm, starting from Monday 7th September and will feature big guests, listener chats, plus special features including Something for the Weekend every Friday.
Is Kate Thornton still on Greatest Hits Radio?
Kate Thornton remains a huge part of our family and will be here every weekend with a new prime-time Saturday show from September. Kate will also continue with her hugely successful UK Pop 40 show every Sunday.
More special projects and further news will be announced later in the year.
Check out all the Greatest Hits Radio presenters below:
Ken Bruce
Greatest Hits Radio is the home of the legend that is Ken Bruce, weekdays 10am-1pm - including PopMaster, the UK's biggest music quiz for 25 years and counting.
Find out more about Ken and PopMaster.
Simon Mayo
Simon Mayo hosts Drivetime every weekday at 4pm and The Album Show on Sundays from 1pm.
Simon said of his Drivetime show: "I think the thing about Drivetime is that it is like the flip side of breakfast. You kind of know what an awful lot of people are doing, it's the end of most people's day, they're doing some final bits of work, they're shutting the laptop, they're doing a bit of food preparation, they're driving home. I think it is that sense of camaraderie, it's the end of the day, people want to be cheered up and they want to spend some time with some decent folk on the radio!"
Find out more about Simon Mayo here.
Zoe Ball
Zoe Ball has officially joined the Greatest Hits Radio family! Zoe's new show Zoe Ball in the Afternoon will launch on Monday 7th September 2026 from 1pm!
Find out more about Zoe Ball and her new show right here.
Kate Thornton
You can join Kate every weekday from 1pm, but she will be moving slots later this year. Kate remains a huge part of our family and will be here every weekend with a new prime-time Saturday show from September 2026. Kate will also continue with her hugely successful UK Pop 40 show every Sunday.
Find out more about Kate Thornton here.
Jenny Powell
Tune in from 7pm every Friday and Saturday for The Mix Tape with Jenny Powell.
Find out more about Jenny Powell here.
Alex Lester
The Dark Lord keeps you company in the small hours. Join him for the Music Marathon from 1am and the Best Time Of The Day Show 4-6am weekdays.
Alex brings: "Your favourite songs. Bizarre insights and unusual thoughts," to his show and told us that he loves that during his show: "It's just the two of us. You and me. (Against the world)."
Find out more about Alex Lester here.
Andy Crane
Join Andy's late-night community of music and company, Sunday-Thursday at 10pm.
Andy has three hours of the biggest songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s as well as The Top 10 at 10 and Midnight Music Marathon. His show is full of: "Great music and plenty of laughing."
Find out more about Andy Crane here.
Jackie Brambles
Jackie Brambles hosts The Evening Show every Monday to Thursday from 7pm - 10pm.
Jackie promises to deliver: "Great music and great conversations! Every night we're joined by one of your favourite artists of the 70s, 80s and 90s for an in-depth chat about the highs and lows of their careers and their musical influences over the years."
Find out more about Jackie Brambles here.
Richard Allinson
Weekend Good Times never sounded so good!
He's a broadcasting legend with a voice like silk that, alongside the Biggest Songs of the 70s, 80s & 90s, make the perfect weekend soundtrack – Saturday and Sundays at 9am.
Saturdays kick off with your chance to guess the year on The Top 10 Til 10, while Sundays are reserved for an hour of your special songs and dedications.
Speaking about his show, Richard said: "The idea is to recreate all those great memories I have of weekends growing up, a bunch of us meeting up to buy clothes, records, maybe sort a date…everything happened on a weekend and we remember the records we played at that time."
Find out more about Richard Allinson here.
Des Paul
Join Des for Rhythm Of The Night every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm, where he plays all the greatest soul, funk, disco and Motown hits to start your weekend.
Des explained what he loves the most about his show: "The favourite bit of presenting Rhythm of the Night is when listeners contact me to say how much they've loved hearing a particular track and then tell us all about when and where they used to hear it."
Find out more about Des Paul here.