Entertainment

Zoe Ball: I only have vague memories of Radio 1 days

The broadcaster said she tried ‘live the life’ in the 90s.
The broadcaster said she tried ‘live the life’ in the 90s. The broadcaster said she tried ‘live the life’ in the 90s.

Zoe Ball has said she only has “vague memories” of her Radio 1 days because the 90s were so “wild”.

The broadcaster, 48, is taking over as host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on January 14, but said having a radio gig was likely to be very different this time.

Speaking to Ken Bruce on Radio 2, Ball said: “I only have vague memories of the Radio 1 days because it was quite a time.

“I did try to sort of live the life.

“It was the 90s.”

When Bruce mentioned burning the candle at both ends, mother-of-two Ball said: “I did. I will not be doing that any more, I can guarantee.

“My friends all said when they found out I was doing this job, ‘Well the good thing is now you sleep loads and you don’t drink any more so you are going to turn up and Scott Mills won’t have to do your show for you’.”

“It’s slightly different times,” she said, adding: “It was wild, it was wild.”

Ball is replacing Chris Evans on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

Chris Evans, with his replacement, Zoe Ball
Chris Evans, with his replacement, Zoe Ball Chris Evans, with his replacement, Zoe Ball (BBC)

Journalist and presenter Tina Daheley has just been announced as the programme’s newsreader.

She joins travel news presenter Richie Anderson and sports presenter Mike Williams.



Daheley is known for working alongside Nick Grimshaw on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show and as a regular presenter for Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s flagship news programme Newsbeat.  

She said: “After 10 years and three consecutive breakfast shows on Radio 1/1Xtra I swore I’d never do it again.

“But being asked to take over from my news idol and broadcasting legend Moira Stuart on the biggest breakfast show in the UK with the first female host in its history, it was an offer I couldn’t turn down!

“I can’t wait to start working with Zoe.”

Ball said: “I am thrilled to be joined by such a talented trio in the form of Richie, Tina and Mike.

“Now this top team are ready for Monday, we can’t wait for people to hear the show!”