Zoe Ball 'speechless' after Hertfordshire gritter lorry reveal

11 months ago 22
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Richie Anderson with Snowy BallImage source, Hertfordshire County Council

Image caption,

A Hertfordshire resident named the gritter Snowy Ball after the presenter

By Danny Fullbrook & Max McLean

BBC News, Hertfordshire & PA Media

Radio star Zoe Ball says she wants the opportunity to drive a gritting lorry named in her honour.

The Radio 2 Breakfast Show presenter was told on air that Hertfordshire County Council's highways team had named a gritter, "Snowy Ball".

Travel reporter Richie Anderson also revealed a cycleway gritter named after him - called Gritchie Anderson.

Ms Ball said: "I am absolutely speechless. I can't really believe it. Honestly, mum, dad... I've made it!"

The presenter asked listeners to provide pun-inspired names they had spotted, such as Taylor Drift and Gritney Spears.

Image caption,

The Radio 2 breakfast show presenter said she was "absolutely speechless" to learn a gritter had been named after her

Mr Anderson was reporting live from Stevenage, where the highways team were preparing vehicles for the winter.

He said: "I know how people must feel when they get MBEs! I can't believe my name, it's not in lights, but it's in black paint on the side of a van. And I love it!"

Image source, Hertfordshire County Council

Image caption,

Richie Anderson compared getting a gritter named after him to getting an MBE

Snowy Ball is the latest addition to a fleet of 70 gritters which will be driven by the county's 140 drivers, keeping the local roads clear in wintry conditions.

Other gritters have been named Putting on the Gritz, Snowbody does it better, Scooperman and Salt of the Earth.

"Do you know what? I want to go to Stevenage and ride in Snowy Ball," Ms Ball said.

She added: "I'm completely flummoxed, I don't even know what to say.

"Unbelievable scenes! See, who needs an honorary degree when you can have a gritter named after you? I'm absolutely made up."

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