Michael Ball wins Radio 2 The Weakest Link special for charity

Michael Ball has been crowned champion of The Weakest Link: Radio 2 Special, raising £11,600 for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, a charity he has supported for more than fifteen years.

The BBC One special, which aired tonight after Strictly Come Dancing, saw eight BBC Radio 2 presenters go head-to-head in a light-hearted but fiercely competitive contest hosted by Romesh Ranganathan.

Competing alongside Michael were Scott Mills, Rylan, Zoe Ball, Tony Blackburn, Jo Whiley, Trevor Nelson and Sally “Traffic” Boazman. Each was playing to win up to £50,000 for their chosen charity.

From the start, the game had moments of tension and comedy in equal measure. Sally Traffic opened with a pointed remark towards Trevor Nelson, saying: “I’m not getting into it but he’s not always been the kindest to me!”

Trevor replied: “I would like to say publicly that I have no beef with Sally,” before Sally later explained her comments on Dermot O’Leary’s Radio 2 show.

Trevor was the first contestant voted off, with five of his colleagues deciding he was the weakest link. Jo Whiley followed soon after, and then Radio 2 legend Tony Blackburn, who became the night’s comic highlight after being asked what a male duck is called.

After a long pause, Tony answered, “Duckett,” prompting laughter from Romesh and his fellow presenters.

Sally Traffic was next to go, departing with the line, “It’s hard not to take it personally.” Scott Mills and Zoe Ball followed, leaving Rylan and Michael Ball to battle it out in the final round.

The two Radio 2 favourites were tied on correct answers before facing a sudden-death tiebreaker. Rylan stumbled on a geography question, giving Michael the win and the title of Weakest Link Radio 2 Champion.

Rylan said, “Just missed out on winning but Michael did amazing though. I’m more concerned that I have to face Sally Traffic at work.”

Michael Ball added, “I am thrilled, I love my Radio 2 family and I love beating them!”

The Weakest Link: Radio 2 Special is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.