Presenter Zoe Ball is reportedly being eyed up by rival companies over a potential return to TV, following the news that she's leaving her BBC Radio show next month.
Zoe, 54, announced her upcoming departure from BBC Radio 2's breakfast show earlier this month. The news came just months after her extended absence over the summer, following her late mother Julia Peckham's death in April.
The radio host told fans in her statement that she had "decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter," though has assured that she will still work with the radio station in some capacity after her exit. There's now speculation that she could pursue TV projects once she leaves the role in the coming weeks.
The Sun reports that Zoe is set to relaunch her on-screen career next year, adding that ITV and Netflix are both thought to be eyeing her up already. The outlet has suggested that there's now a "bidding war" over her potential TV return and teases that she may end up with more projects outside the BBC.
A source told the outlet: "The 'life's too short' mantra she seems to be adopting doesn't just extend to leaving the gruelling job of doing the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it now includes looking at going back to her TV roots.
"After all, she sees her contemporaries like Claudia Winkleman, Tess Daly, and Davina McCall appearing on prime-time shows. It seems there's never been a better time to be a fifty-something woman in TV presenting, and Zoe already brings with her a huge following."
Image:
Getty Images)Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images)Zoe rose to fame more than three decades ago as an on-screen presenter, fronting shows like SMart, Live & Kicking and Top of the Pops in the 1990s. She however pursued opportunities as a radio host during the decade too and in recent years has become known for work on BBC Radio.
She's appeared on various TV shows over the years though, including presenting Strictly Come Dancing companion show It Takes Two for the BBC from 2011 to 2020. She's also worked with other broadcasters, including more recently hosting ITV talent show Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream last year and appearing as a cast member on Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox.
Announcing her departure from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show recently, Zoe told fans: "Okay you lovely bunch, I have some news. After six years of fun times alongside you all on the Breakfast Show, I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. You know I think the world of you all listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you, to go through life's little ups and downs, we got through the lockdown together, didn't we?
"We've shared a hell of a lot; the good times, the tough times, there's been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats. I'm going to miss my amazing Prod Squad who I adore. Already missing Mike, I'm going to miss Tina and Richie. They've all become like family to me - like you lot. But I won't miss the 4am alarm call, if I'm completely honest. So my last breakfast show will be with you on the 20th of December and then its high kicks all the way to Christmas, gang.
"I'm not going to be a stranger - I'm staying in the Radio 2 crew and family because it's an amazing family - as we saw last week with Paddy's fantastic Children in Need challenge - and I'll have more news on that in the New Year. I just want to say I'm so grateful to my incredible boss ladies. To Helen and Laura and Lorna and Fiona, they have always been so supportive of me especially in this job and particularly this year, so thank you ladies."
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
English (US) ·