Zoe Ball nervous ahead of second day as BBC Radio 2 Breakfast host: ‘It’s harder!’

Zoe Ball has admitted she is still nervous ahead of her second day at the helm of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, despite day one going seamlessly.

The TV personality, who made her debut on Monday morning, compared her follow-up show to a “second tricky album”.

Speaking to reporters outside Wogan House, Ball said: “I can’t mark myself out of 10 that would be far too narcissistic but I really enjoyed it. We’ll go and have a debrief and then work out [any problems] but you know we loved it and had a great time.

“Hopefully more relaxed tomorrow, when I saw Lauren [Laverne] last week, she said hopefully by Thursday [the nerves would have calm down]. Show two is like the second tricky album it’s often harder, so fingers crossed.”

Despite her nerves, Ball was met with widespread praise as she became the station’s first female weekday breakfast host, taking over from Chris Evans who stepped down in December.

Ball, 48, opened with Aretha Franklin’s Respect, telling listeners: “Good morning Radio 2 superstar listeners, here we go.”

She continued: “And, relax. After all the build-up, and the chat and the preamble, the big day is finally here. We are so super-excited. I'm ready, the prod squad team are ready.”

Many fans were quick to declare Ball the reason for their “return” to BBC Radio 2 in the mornings.

One tweeted: “Chris who? Well done @ZoeTheBall amazing first show with amazing music and you even have @TinaDaheley yaaasss! Gutted I have to get out my car and stop listening but work calls! #ZoeBall.”

Another wrote: “#ZoeBall first track brought tears to my eye. Woman doing breakfast on radio 2 and Aretha playing! #Womenonradio #radio2 (sic).”

While many were impressed by Ball’s efforts, others demanded Evans be brought back.

The former Top Gear host will kick off his new role on Virgin Radio on Monday, January 21.