The most popular radio show in the UK is getting its first ever female host

Women are still having firsts in 2018.
 By 
Rachel Thompson
 on 
The most popular radio show in the UK is getting its first ever female host
Zoe Ball leaves the Radio 2 Breakfast Show at BBC Broadcasting House in London. Credit: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

It's 2018 and women are *still* having firsts. And, Wednesday marks yet another major first for women.

For the first time in the 51 year history of BBC Radio 2 — the most listened to radio station in the UK — its breakfast show will be hosted by a woman — veteran radio presenter Zoe Ball. The Radio 2 Breakfast Show is also the most listened-to breakfast show in the UK.

In a Twitter statement, Ball she was "absolutely cock a hoop" to be joining the show.

"To be the first woman to present this very special show is both an honour and privilege," Ball said.

"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," she added.

It's about time!

Topics BBC

Rachel Thompson, sits wearing a dress with yellow florals and black background.
Rachel Thompson
Features Editor

Rachel Thompson is the Features Editor at Mashable. Rachel's second non-fiction book The Love Fix: Reclaiming Intimacy in a Disconnected World is out now, published by Penguin Random House in Jan. 2025. The Love Fix explores why dating feels so hard right now, why we experience difficult emotions in the realm of love, and how we can change our dating culture for the better.

A leading sex and dating writer in the UK, Rachel has written for GQ, The Guardian, The Sunday Times Style, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Stylist, ELLE, The i Paper, Refinery29, and many more.

Rachel's first book Rough: How Violence Has Found Its Way Into the Bedroom And What We Can Do About It, a non-fiction investigation into sexual violence was published by Penguin Random House in 2021.

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