Zoe Ball will replace Chris Evans on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show, becoming the first ever female host of the programme, it was announced on Wednesday.
The broadcaster said it is "both an honour and privilege" to take over the slot.
🥁Drumroll please!🥁
— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) October 3, 2018
Our brand new Breakfast Show host is @ZoeTheBall! 👏https://t.co/th597DBxQI pic.twitter.com/dbfQgMsuHO
She said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be following in the giant footsteps of Chris Evans as the host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
"To be the first woman to present this very special show is both an honour and privilege.
"Believe me, I'm not under-estimating 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.
"But I hope, in the same way that Chris made this show his own after taking over from the wonderful Sir Terry Wogan, that, with a top team alongside me, I can bring the fabulous Radio 2 audience a show they want to wake up to."
Evans took over from Terry Wogan as presenter of the show in January 2010 and the show regularly attracts nine million listeners.
"You really light up the radio." 📻@achrisevans to @ZoeTheBall on taking over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show ▶️ https://t.co/1offPFKK8I pic.twitter.com/WDkjLVZfvX
— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) October 3, 2018
He hinted Ball would be his replacement on the show by playing a trail for a Fatboy Slim documentary on Radio 2, saying: "This family is taking over, more of that later".
Evans told listeners: "Don't think you're going to be disappointed."
Ball was previously married to DJ and record producer Fatboy Slim, whose real name is Norman Cook.
Evans announced leaving his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show live on air in September. He later revealed he will be returning to Virgin Radio.
