chrismoyles.net
- Tue Dec 16, 2003 5:14 pm
#132064
I don't know if anyone on here likes Zoe Ball or anything, but:
Zoe Ball is to step down as host of the drivetime slot at London-based radio station Xfm, it was confirmed today.
Lauren Laverne will take over the slot - 4pm-7pm weekdays - from January 5, the same day that Sara Cox takes the equivalent slot on Radio 1. Ball's final show will go out next Tuesday, December 23.
Explaining her decision, Ball said that she would now be free to spend more time with her son Woody.
"She’ll definitely give Coxy a run for her money in the afternoon who, let’s face it, will probably be too busy worrying about her swollen ankles to concentrate on her show," she said. "I can’t wait to spend more time with my son. I’ll be able to do all the normal things again like take him to school and put him to bed. Basically, be a full-time mum."
Xfm's new programming controller Andy Ashton said that Laverne would "effortlessly" rise to the challenge of taking on Radio 1.
"Lauren is undoubtedly one of the most exciting radio DJ’s out there," he said. "She was the obvious choice for the job having successfully covered for Zoe before. She’s a ballsy, up-for-it northern lass and I know that she’ll effortlessly rise to the challenge."
Ball will present a new Friday night show on the station from early next year.
