ON THE BALL
When does Zoe Ball start the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show as Chris Evans leaves for Virgin?
ZOE Ball was announced as the new host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, replacing Chris Evans as he makes his return to Virgin.
Here's everything you need to know...
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When does Zoe Ball start on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show?
Zoe Ball, 48, takes over from Chris Evans on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show from TODAY 6.30am to 9.30am.
Her first job at BBC Radio was co-hosting the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Kevin Greening in 1997.
On her new role Zoe said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be following in the giant footsteps of Chris Evans as the host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
"To be the first woman to present this very special show is both an honour and privilege.
"Believe me, I'm not underestimating the enormity of the task ahead, to follow not one but two of my broadcasting idols, into such a well-loved show is somewhat daunting but I hope, in the same way that Chris made this show his own after taking over from the wonderful Sir Terry Wogan, that with a top team alongside me, I can bring the fabulous Radio 2 audience a show they want to wake up to."
Zoe's team on the show will be comprised of Richie Anderson on travel news, Mike Williams on sport and Carol Kirkwood on weather.
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Why did Chris Evans leave the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show?
Chris Evans announced he would be leaving the Radio 2 Breakfast show in September 2018.
He hosted the programme for eight years after taking over from Sir Terry Wogan in 2010.
Explaining his decision to resign he said: "Some of us are mountain climbers [but] if you get to the top of your favourite mountain and you stay there, you become an observer. I want to keep climbing."
Chris will be returning to his "spiritual home" at Virgin Radio on January 21.
Will Zoe Ball be paid the same salary for the Breakfast Show as Chris Evans?
Zoe Ball will be paid a salary of £1.2 million a year to host the Breakfast Show.
This won't be as much as Chris Evans who was on a salary of £1.69 million.
However Zoe has stated that she's happy with her pay rise.
She said: “I’m definitely not expecting the same. But I have to say we’ve discussed fees and I’m very, very happy with what the BBC are paying.
"If it’ll all come out one day as these things tend to, I hope people say, ‘that’s fair.’”
Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans signs off from his breakfast show with a team sing-a-long
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