Zoe Ball supports Paddy McGuinness amid BBC Radio 2 presenter backlash

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Zoe Ball has shown support for future BBC Radio 2 co-worker Paddy McGuinness over a backlash to his hiring.

It was announced earlier this week that there would be a shake-up in BBC Radio 2's Sunday schedule following the death of DJ Steve Wright, with Michael Ball taking over as host of Sunday Love Songs from 9am to 11am and former Top Gear co-presenter Paddy taking the 11am to 1pm slot.

Some listeners posted their displeasure about the new schedule on social media, pointing to the fact that Paddy's previous TV shows Top Gear, A Question of Sport and I Can See Your Voice have all been shelved by the BBC recently.

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Eamonn M. McCormack - Getty Images

Related: BBC Radio 2's Zoe Ball 'locked out of studio' in pirate radio takeover

Zoe was among those to congratulate Paddy on the BBC Radio 2 gig, sharing a photo of him on a now-expired Instagram Story (via Metro).

"Bolton Massive," she wrote alongside the photo.

Zoe is also a member of the BBC Radio 2 family, as she took over from Chris Evans as the presenter of The Breakfast Show in 2019.

The presenter recently shared the sad news that she would need to take some time off from her BBC Radio 2 show because her mother Julia has been diagnosed with cancer.

Meanwhile, Paddy landed his Sunday slot on Radio 2 after recently filling in for Rylan Clark on Saturday afternoons.

paddy mcguinness, top gear
BBC

Related: Paddy McGuinness says he's not in contact with Top Gear co-star Freddie Flintoff

"I’ve loved keeping Rylan’s seat warm on Saturday afternoons and returning to the airwaves over Easter. To be given my very own regular show on the legendary Radio 2 is a dream come true," Paddy said this week.

The presenter does have an extensive background in radio, as he previously hosted his own show in the North of England on Bauer City 1 stations between 2014 and 2017.

Paddy will begin his Radio 2 show from Salford on Sundays starting in June.

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