Veteran radio personalities Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley have announced an exciting new venture, as the pair prepare to co-host a podcast together set for release next month. Both women, familiar voices to millions of BBC Radio 2 listeners, share a longstanding friendship and decades of experience across the British broadcasting landscape. Their forthcoming podcast promises to delve into the kinds of candid discussions they rarely get to explore on live radio.
The as-yet-untitled series is being produced by Persephonica, an award-winning production house known for its engaging storytelling formats. Launching in July, the show will feature two new episodes each week, with additional exclusive content for subscribers. In a move to make the conversations even more accessible, episodes will also be released in video format on YouTube, allowing fans to join the dialogue from their screens as well as their headphones.
Ball and Whiley have described the podcast as an unvarnished, heartfelt conversation between ‘old mates’, giving listeners a front-row seat to their regular catch-ups. The wide-ranging topics tabled for discussion are set to cover all aspects of modern living: from the challenges and joys of raising a family, navigating the complexities of health and ageing, to managing careers in the ever-changing media landscape.
The show aims to stand apart from more scripted productions, offering instead a sense of spontaneity and warmth reflective of their real-life friendship. Listeners can look forward to an array of stories and insights, peppered with humour and vulnerability, that might not ordinarily make it to prime time broadcasts. Both presenters are keen to involve their audience, with plans to answer listener questions and share advice inspired by their own lives.
Jo Whiley expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I’ve been lucky to team up with some amazing people throughout my career, but this podcast with Zoe feels truly special.” She highlighted how the platform will enable them to share conversations that tend to stay behind the scenes, as well as create new opportunities to connect with their longtime supporters. “We’re opening the floor to topics that don’t always get airtime, and we’re ultimately hoping to bridge the gap between us and the community that’s followed us so loyally over the past thirty years.”
Similarly, Zoe Ball reflected on the pair’s shared history, noting, “Jo has been a friend and anchor in my life for as long as I can remember. We started together on The Word and The Big Breakfast and have pretty much grown up in parallel with our listeners.” Ball underscored the authenticity underpinning their forthcoming episodes: “There’s no script, no filter; just the two of us chatting about our lives – juggling motherhood, ageing, dinner plans, music obsessions, family grief, and everything that happens in between.”
In addition to their signature banter, the podcast will be open to occasional guest appearances from figures in the media, entertainment, or music industries. These special episodes are intended to provide fresh perspectives and foster deeper exploration of subjects close to the presenters’ hearts.
The new project arrives at a time when podcasting continues to flourish, attracting diverse audiences seeking relatable, in-depth content. For Ball and Whiley, it marks another chapter in careers already filled with notable achievements. Their move into the podcasting space is set to offer a listening experience that’s both intimate and inclusive.
As anticipation builds, fans of both broadcasters can expect an honest, lively and often poignant exploration of everyday life – all delivered with the warmth and familiarity that have defined Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley’s careers for over three decades. With its blend of laughter, life lessons and genuine conversation, the podcast is poised to become a weekly staple among both long-time fans and new listeners alike.