BBC Radio 2 presenters: past and present

Radio 2 presenters Scott Mills, Zoe Ball and Trevor Nelson

by Arabella Horspool |
Updated on

There have been many BBC Radio 2 presenters since the station first aired on the 20th of September 1967, including the late, great Steve Wright and Paul O'Grady to name a few.

Whether you're a regular listener or simply interested to learn more, here are the regular hosts and presenters of BBC Radio 2.

Current BBC Radio 2 presenters 2024

BBC Radio 2 presenters: female

Zoe Ball

Zoe Ball
©Getty / Comic Relief

Zoe Ball is one of the Radio 2 morning presenters, hosting The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show that airs weekdays at 6:30-9:30am. She also has a podcast on the same channel called Zoe Ball and Friends, where she chats with celebrity guests.

In November 2024, Zoe announced she would be stepping down from breakfast show hosting duties, and handing them over to Scott Mills instead. Speaking on-air, the presenter said her last show would be Friday December 20th, adding: “After six incredible years on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it’s time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family."

She is staying with Radio 2, with more details on what that will entail to be announced in early 2025.

In the late 90s, she became the first female to present the BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows.

She has also appeared on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Gogglebox with her son Woody.

Sara Cox

©Dave Benett, Getty

Sara Cox started her career presenting TV shows. After successful stints on BBC Radio 1, she started covering shows for the likes of Claudia Winkleman, Janice Long and Ken Bruce on Radio 2, before landing a regular show.

She is currently the BBC Radio 2 drivetime presenter on Monday–Fridays.

Jo Whiley

©Jo Hale, Getty

Presenter and DJ Jo Wiley is an evening presenter on Radio 2. The description of her show states that she "plays her favourite album tracks and some musical gems rarely heard on Radio 2".

Liza Tarbuck

©Cambridge Jones

Liza has worked on BBC Radio 2 for over 15 years, with stand-in shows and special Christmas episodes. In May 2012 she took over the Saturday evening 6pm-8pm slot from Alan Carr and Melanie Sykes.

Fearne Cotton

©Dave Benett, Getty

Author and broadcaster Fearne Cotton presented her first BBC Radio 1 show with Reggie Yates.

Since 2020, she has committed to the show Sounds of the 90s on Radio 2 and strolls down memory lane with her guests.

Elaine Paige

©Lia Toby / Stringer, Getty

Singer and actress Elaine Paige hosts her radio show from on Radio 2 which celebrates the best of Broadway, Hollywood and the West End.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

©Simon James, Getty

You can catch this singer-songwriter's show Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Kitchen Disco on BBC Radio 2. It's full of funky, upbeat tunes.

BBC Radio 2 presenters: male

Jeremy Vine

©Nordin Catic, Getty

In 2003, Jeremy Vine took over the weekday lunchtime show after standing in for Jimmy Young on several occasions. His show includes Monday health and Friday legal advice sections and features guests such as Martin Lewis and general practitioner Sarah Jarvis.

Jeremy took the stage in 2015's Strictly Come Dancing and his partner was professional dancer Karen Hauer.

Vernon Kay

©Comic Relief

In 2012 Vernon Kay left BBC Radio 1 to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by Matt Edmundson. He did some cover work for Rylan Clark and Steve Wright.

Fast forward to 2023 and Vernon Kay took over BBC Radio 2's mid-morning show from Ken Bruce (who moved to Greatest Hits Radio).

Scott Mills

Scott Mills
©Getty / Katja Ogrins

Scott Mills is one of the BBC Radio 2 afternoon presenters, who permanently replaced the Steve Wright in the Afternoon show.

In November 2024 it was announced that he will be taking over from Zoe Ball as the breakfast show host, starting in late December 2024. Scott said:

 “Zoe and I have been such good friends now for over 25 years and have spent much of that time as part of the same radio family here at Radio 2 and also on Radio 1.

"She's done an incredible job on this show over the past six years, and I am beyond excited to be handed the baton.”

Trevor Nelson will replace Scott Mills as the host of the afternoon show on weekdays, 2-4pm.

You can listen to Scott's afternoon show or listen to the best bits on The Scott Mills Weekly Podcast.

Trevor Nelson

Trevor Nelson DJ
©Getty/ C Brandon

At present, Trevor Nelson is the host of Radio 2's Rhythm Nation. He will replace Scott Mills as the afternoon show host from January 2025, with DJ Spoony moving into his night time slot.

Trevor said: "I'm looking to have lots of fun and will be bringing a bit of soul to the new show."

Owain Wyn Evans

Owain Wyn Evans
©Getty / Jeff Spicer

Owain hosts the early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, from 4-6.30am. He became the first Radio 2 presenter to permanently base himself in Cardiff for his hosting duties. The Welshman also hosts a myriad of programmes for BBC Cymru.

Dermot O'Leary

©Dave J Hogan, Getty

TV presenter Dermot O'Leary has hosted his fair share of radio shows and is currently one of the BBC Radio 2 morning presenters in a Saturday morning slot.

Rob Beckett

©Antony Jones/BAFTA, Getty

Comedian and co-host of the Parenting Hell podcast Rob Beckett brings his quick wit and energy to Sunday evening shows on BBC Radio 2.

Romesh Ranganathan

©Scott Campbell

In April 2024, comedian Romesh Ranganathan joined Radio 2, in a Saturday morning slot that was Claudia Winkleman's.

Michael Ball

©Pete Still

Singer, presenter and actor Michael Ball MBE hosts Sunday Love Songs after the passing of Steve Wright.

He has appeared in many West End musicals including Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera.

Rylan Clark

©Lorne Thomson. Getty

Since appearing on The X Factor, Rylan Clark has worked on several reality TV shows including This Morning and Celebrity Big Brother.

He now hosts Rylan on Saturday for three hours a week on BBC Radio 2.

Tony Blackburn

©Karwai Tang, Getty

DJ and singer Tony Blackburn has had multiple BBC Radio 2 shows including: Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn and Tony Blackburn's Golden Hour.

BBC Radio 2 travel presenters

Richie Anderson is a travel presenter for the station on weekday mornings. Sally Boazman does the weekends and Bobby Pryor does the weekend afternoons.

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.

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