Is Zoe Ball Suspended from BBC? Who is Zoe Ball?
by Venkatesh P
Updated Jul 11, 2023
Who is Zoe Ball?
Zoe Louise Ball, a renowned British radio and television presenter, has made a significant mark in the broadcasting industry. She achieved several noteworthy milestones during her career with the BBC.
Ball holds the distinction of being the first female host of both Radio 1 Breakfast and The Radio 2 Breakfast Show for the BBC. Additionally, she co-presented the popular children's show Live & Kicking from 1996 to 1999 alongside Jamie Theakston.
Her talent extended beyond hosting, as she also participated as a contestant in the third series of Strictly Come Dancing. Building on her involvement in the show, Ball took on the role of host for the BBC Two spin-off program, Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, starting in 2011. She succeeded Claudia Winkleman in this role and held it until her departure in 2021. Ball's association with Strictly Come Dancing further flourished as she hosted the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour in both 2011 and 2015.
In 2018, the BBC made an exciting announcement, revealing Ball as the new host of The Radio 2 Breakfast Show. This position was previously held by Chris Evans. Ball officially took over the reins in January 2019, cementing her status as a prominent figure in the world of radio broadcasting.
Is Zoe Ball Suspended from BBC?
No. Zoe Ball is not suspended from BBC. Earlier it is said that Zoe Ball had to withdraw from covering the Coronation Concert for BBC Radio due to illness, leaving her feeling "absolutely gutted." The concert, set in the grounds of Windsor Castle, was scheduled to feature performances by renowned artists such as Take That, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie.
In a tweet, Ball expressed her disappointment, stating that she had fallen ill with a sickness bug and would not be able to attend the concert. She assured her followers that Scott Mills and Dermot O'Leary would take over her hosting duties, with Mills interacting with the crowd and O'Leary conducting backstage interviews with the performing stars. The event, attended by members of the royal family and around 20,000 members of the public, aimed to continue the celebratory atmosphere following the crowning at Westminster Abbey.
Hugh Bonneville, known for his roles in "Downton Abbey" and "Paddington," hosted the concert in Windsor. The lineup included artists like Paloma Faith, Olly Murs, Steve Winwood, Nicole Scherzinger, Andrea Bocelli, Sir Bryn Terfel, and Lang Lang. Video appearances were made by celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Dame Joan Collins, Bear Grylls, Sir Tom Jones, and Oti Mabuse. Pre-recorded sketches added an element of surprise, sharing lesser-known facts about the monarch and featuring the beloved character Winnie the Pooh.
The concert also featured performances by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage, DJ Pete Tong with his Ibiza Classics project, and 13-year-old talent show winner Lucy. Stella McCartney delivered a spoken word performance centered around environmental sustainability, reflecting her shared passion with the king. A nature-themed section included a rendition of an 1980s hit by Alexis Ffrench, Zak Abel, and a house orchestra, band, and choir. Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor provided a spoken-word performance as well.
To create a unique performance, the Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Music, and the Royal College of Art joined forces. The concert was broadcast live from the grounds of Windsor Castle, with Kirsty Young anchoring the broadcast. Clara Amfo and Jordan Banjo had the opportunity to speak to the artists backstage.
Despite Zoe Ball's unfortunate absence, the Coronation Concert showcased a star-studded lineup and
Zoe Ball's Career
Zoe Ball has enjoyed a diverse and successful career in television, showcasing her talents as a presenter across various shows. Her journey began as a runner at Granada Television and a researcher for the Cool Cube on BSkyB. She later worked as a researcher for quiz shows before stepping into the spotlight as a presenter.
Ball's hosting roles have included The Big Breakfast and The Priory on Channel 4, BBC One's Live & Kicking, and the pre-school program Playdays. From 1994 to 1996, she co-presented SMart alongside Mark Speight and Jay Burridge. In 1995, Ball hosted the first series of Fully Booked. She also became a regular presenter on Top of the Pops between 1996 and 1998, often alternating with Jayne Middlemiss and Jo Whiley.
Teaming up with Jamie Theakston, Ball co-hosted the Wednesday night chat/music show The Priory from 1999 to 2001. In 2002, she co-hosted the Brit Awards with Frank Skinner. While motherhood led her to take on fewer television projects, she continued to make appearances on shows like Strictly Dance Fever in 2005 and the ITV program Extinct in 2006 alongside Trevor McDonald.
Ball took on several hosting roles for ITV, including the second series of Soapstar Superstar in 2007, the talent search Grease Is the Word in 2007, and the quiz series Britain's Best Brain in 2009 alongside Jamie Theakston. She also guest-presented episodes of The One Show and played a significant role in Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor special, where she revealed Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor.
Throughout her career, Ball has been involved in numerous BBC programs, such as co-hosting the Children in Need telethon in 2013 and presenting The Voice: Louder on Two, a spin-off from The Voice UK in 2014. She also hosted EastEnders: Backstage Live during the EastEnders live week, co-presented the BBC Young Dancer competition with Darcey Bussell, and narrated ITV specials and the BBC series Don't Tell the Bride.
In recent years, Ball co-presented Can't Touch This, a game show for BBC One, and appeared as a guest presenter on Film 2016. She also co-presented The Big Family Cooking Showdown with Nadiya Hussain on BBC Two and joined Celebrity Gogglebox alongside her son, Woody Fred Cook, starting in 2020. In 2021, Ball participated in The Masked Dancer, disguised as Llama, before being unmasked.
Ball's notable involvement in the world of dance includes her participation in the third series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2005, where she achieved third place with her partner Ian Waite. She later took over from Claudia Winkleman as the host of Strictly Come Dancing's sister show, It Takes Two, in 2011. After a decade in the role, Ball announced her departure from It Takes Two in May 2021, marking the end of an era.
Throughout her remarkable career, Zoe Ball has proven herself as a versatile and talented presenter, leaving a lasting impression on both viewers and the entertainment industry as a whole.
Why has Zoe Ball been Away from Radio 2?
Zoe Ball has been absent from her hosting duties on Radio 2 due to her involvement in a new talent show called Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream. The show, which will air on ITV, centers around the search for new cast members to take on the roles of Sophie and Sky in the West End production of Mamma Mia, the popular musical inspired by the ABBA-centric film of the same name.
The filming for the eight-part series commenced last month in Greece, mirroring the film's setting. As part of the show, Ball has been traveling to different locations, participating in the auditions and selection process to find the perfect talents who will grace the stage of the West End production of Mamma Mia.
Given the commitments and demands of filming the talent show, Ball has taken a break from her regular radio hosting duties on Radio 2 to fully focus on Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream. This temporary absence allows her to dedicate her time and energy to the successful production of the talent show, ensuring its smooth execution and the discovery of exceptional performers who will bring the beloved characters of Sophie and Sky to life on stage.
Fans of Zoe Ball will have the opportunity to see her return to Radio 2 once her involvement in Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream concludes. In the meantime, audiences can look forward to witnessing the exciting journey of finding new stars for the iconic musical in this new ITV talent show.
Is Zoe Ball Suspended From Bbc - FAQ
Zoe Ball is a prominent British radio and television presenter known for her hosting roles on Radio 1 Breakfast, The Radio 2 Breakfast Show, and the children's show Live & Kicking. She has also appeared on shows like Strictly Come Dancing and hosted the spin-off show It Takes Two.
Zoe Ball had to withdraw from hosting the Coronation Concert due to illness. She expressed her disappointment in a tweet, citing a sickness bug as the reason for her absence. Scott Mills and Dermot O'Leary filled in for her hosting duties.
The Coronation Concert featured a star-studded lineup of artists, including Take That, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie. The concert took place at Windsor Castle, with performances by renowned musicians and surprise video appearances from celebrities. The event aimed to continue the celebratory atmosphere following the royal crowning at Westminster Abbey.
Zoe Ball has been away from Radio 2 because she is involved in a new talent show called Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream. The show, which airs on ITV, focuses on finding new cast members for the West End production of Mamma Mia. Ball's absence allows her to fully commit to the show's filming and the audition process.
Zoe Ball has announced that she will be back on Radio 2 from Wednesday 7 June. Once her involvement in Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream concludes, she will resume her regular hosting duties on the station.