The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Zoe Ball is early frontrunner to take over breakfast mic
Zoe Ball has been named favourite to step into Chris Evans’ shoes as the new host of the Radio 2 breakfast show.
Other names who could be in the frame include Sara Cox, Simon Mayo and Dermot O’Leary.
Radio 2, which has come under criticism for its male-heavy daytime lineup, has plenty of time to make a choice with the broadcaster continuing his run until December.
Here is a look at the early contenders: Zoe Ball – 4-7
Ball was the first solo female Radio 1 breakfast show host. She was at the forefront of the “ladette culture” that swept through broadcasting because of her hard-drinking party lifestyle.
Her TV jobs include host of the BBC spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
She recently made a programme for Sport Relief following the loss of her partner, Billy Yates, who was found dead at his home at the age of 40.
She cycled more than 350 miles over five days, from Blackpool to Brighton, raising more than £500,000 as part of the programme. Ball hosts a live, Saturday afternoon show on Radio 2 and has stepped in for Evans on the breakfast show.
Sara Cox – 6-4
Cox, another former “ladette”, hosted the Radio 1 breakfast show between 2000 and 2003. She currently hosts a show on BBC Radio 2 and is also known for TV programmes like The Great Pottery Throw Down.
Jo Whiley – 6-1
A familiar voice on Radio 2, Whiley currently co-hosts the drivetime show on the station. She has presented a long-running show on Radio 1. Simon Mayo – 8-1
Mayo currently hosts a the drive time show on Radio 2 with Whiley. Dermot O’Leary – 12-1
The X Factor presenter hosts the Saturday breakfast show on Radio 2.
But, with the latest series of The X Factor kicking off with just under six million viewers, the weekday breakfast show role could be attractive.