Zoe Ball, 55, has admitted that people still tease her about her famous 1994 interview with Oasis, but she insists she remains a huge fan of the Gallaghers. Speaking to Metro after a day at Reading Festival, the broadcaster, who made history as the first female host of both BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 breakfast shows, reflected on her career and recent changes.
Leaving Radio 2 and the 'natural progression' of TV
Ball stepped down from her Radio 2 show in December 2025, with Emma Willis taking over. Months later, she said she experienced 'grief and rejection' after missing out on hosting Strictly Come Dancing. However, she expressed no bitterness towards Willis.
'Emma's amazing, we've known each other for years. It's what happens,' Ball told Metro. 'People do shows for a while, and then someone else does a show for a while. If Claudia Winkleman hadn't stepped aside on It Takes Two, I'd never have got to do it. If Emma Forbes hadn't left Live & Kicking, I would never have got to do it. So, it's just a natural progression in radio and television. It's what happens. It's wonderful. And you need that evolution in telly.'
Now working on Greatest Hits Radio, Ball says she feels 'really lucky' to have interviewed some of the biggest names in the business over the last 30 years.
Memorable interviews and the Oasis moment
Reflecting on her career, Ball said: 'Occasionally you get people who are a bit monosyllabic or not in the mood for a chat. More of the nightmares are technical, like when the tape wasn't running and you've done a really good interview and you've done your best work, but on the whole, I've talked to all sorts of amazing people that I'm proud of.'
She described Madonna as 'quite tricky because it was a bit scary and intimidating.' Her favourite interviewees include Barbra Streisand, Dame Julie Andrews, and Dame Judi Dench, whom she calls her 'Holy Trinity.' She also loves speaking to Sir Paul McCartney: 'He always has stories to tell and he's really generous with his time.'
But one interview is brought up time and time again: her 1994 chat with Noel and Liam Gallagher for the BBC music show The O-Zone, shortly after the release of their debut album Definitely Maybe.
'People take the mickey out of me for that interview everywhere I go,' she laughs. 'And my kids always ask “Mum, what are you wearing?” I was wearing a Kangol hat and a tracksuit top!'
Reminiscing, she added: 'But they were so charismatic, both Noel and Liam. I just remember being so in awe of them. There is something about them. I haven't interviewed them together in a long time, but whenever either of them would come on my radio show, you just knew you were going to have so much fun. They're really open and honest, brutally so sometimes. But they are great lads and I'm a huge fan. It was amazing to go and see them live last year, it was an emotional night. I'm going to a screening of the documentary soon and can't wait. I really do adore them.'
Festival family and Vodafone partnership
Ball, known for her love of music, remains a festival lover and has passed that down to her two children: son Woody, 25, and daughter Nelly, 16. She praised their father, Norman Cook, also known as Fatboy Slim, as 'a great dad and a great man.'
'My daughter is going to Reading Festival for the first time this year. She's 16 and you can't help but worry. She's probably bored of me telling her to hydrate and have a nap. I've told her it's okay to step back from the crowd if you get a bit overwhelmed,' Ball said. 'Woody loves festivals and we've watched him work really hard over the last few years. He drives all over the country and does six or seven gigs in a weekend. It's kind of in his blood. He grew up seeing how much we loved going to Glastonbury and came with us when he was very young.'
Ball now prefers a quieter festival experience: 'These days I like to go to bed quite early, though, have a cheese toasty and be in bed by midnight.'
Ball is partnering with Vodafone, the Official Connectivity Partner of Pepsi MAX presents Reading Festival, for the first ever Check-In & Chips van, which lets families connect inside and outside the festival. Festivalgoers get a fun photobooth experience and a complimentary portion of chips, while parents get reassurance that their children are safe.
