ZOE Ball has been named favourite to step into Chris Evans’ shoes as the new host of the Radio 2 breakfast show.

The DJ and television presenter, who lives in Ditchling after splitting up with former husband Norman Cook, is seen as the most likely to step in.

Other names who could be in the frame include Sara Cox, Simon Mayo and Dermot O’Leary.

Radio 2, which has come under criticism for its male-heavy daytime line-up, has plenty of time to make a choice with the broadcaster continuing his run until December.

Zoe, 47, was the first solo female Radio 1 breakfast show host.

She was at the forefront of the “ladette culture” that swept through broadcasting because of her hard-drinking party lifestyle.

Her TV jobs include host of the BBC spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.

She recently made a programme for Sport Relief following the loss of her partner, Billy Yates, who was found dead at his home at the age of 40.

She cycled more than 350 miles over five days, from Blackpool to Brighton, raising more than £500,000 as part of the programme.

Ball hosts a live, Saturday afternoon show on Radio 2 and has stepped in for Evans on the breakfast show.

Bookmakers believe a female presenter is the likely replacement for Evans.

Evans shocked fans by announcing a return to Virgin Radio, almost 20 years after he left the station. The broadcaster, 52, revealed on Monday morning that he was quitting Radio 2 and his breakfast show after 13 years at the BBC station.

Now he has told of his future plans, saying he will be hosting a rival breakfast show on Virgin Radio, “in many ways... my spiritual home”.

“I see nothing but exciting and groundbreaking opportunities ahead. In a medium that is changing so quickly on a daily basis, the potential for growth is unprecedented,” he said.

“Our plan is to give it all we’ve got, see where we can get to and have the most possible fun along the way. It makes me smile every time I think about it.”

Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson described the appointment as a “major coup”.

Like radio listeners across the UK, I can’t wait to see what Chris comes up with for his new breakfast show. One thing I’m certain of is it is going to be a lot of fun,” he said.

BBC figures published earlier in the summer revealed that the broadcaster and former Top Gear host is earning between £1.6 million and £1,669,999 for his Radio 2 breakfast show.

He was the second-highest earner on the BBC list, one place below Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker.

Evans first joined Radio 2 in September 2005 as presenter of the Saturday afternoon show.

He moved to the drivetime slot in 2006. Evans took over from Sir Terry Wogan as the host of the Radio 2 breakfast show in January 2010.

He scooped the Best Music Radio Breakfast Show award in 2016.

The programme currently has a weekly audience of more than nine million, making it the UK’s most listened-to radio programme.

Evans previously hosted breakfast shows at Radio 1 and Virgin Radio, and presented TV shows TFI Friday and Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush.