Zoe Ball is departing from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast program after six years of service.
The 53-year-old, who recently experienced the loss of her mother due to cancer, is scheduled to host her final broadcast on Friday, December 20.
Ball bids farewell to Wogan House, accompanied by her successor, Scott Mills. Pic: PA
She expressed that her departure is aimed at concentrating on family commitments, while still remaining a member of the Radio 2 team, with more updates anticipated in the upcoming year.
While sharing the news during her show on Tuesday, she mentioned: “After six wonderful years with all of you on the breakfast program, I believe it’s time for me to step back from the early morning wake-up call and embark on a new journey.
“I truly cherish every one of you, my listeners. It has been an immense privilege to start my mornings with you, facing life’s highs and lows together, we navigated the pandemic side by side, didn’t we?
“We’ve experienced so much together—joyful moments and challenging times, filled with laughter. I will sincerely miss you all.”
Scott Mills will take over the breakfast program following Ball’s exit next month.
“Zoe and I have shared a remarkable friendship for over 25 years and have spent a substantial part of that time as part of the same radio family at Radio 2 and previously at Radio 1,” he remarked.
“She has excelled in her role on this program for the last six years, and I am truly thrilled to be given the opportunity to step in.”
Ball made history as the first female host of both the BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows, starting her journey with Radio 1 in 1998 before succeeding Chris Evans to take over the Radio 2 position in 2020 after his departure.
She took a break from hosting her program over the summer and made her return in September.
Before entering the radio scene, Ball – who is the offspring of children’s presenter Johnny Ball – co-hosted the BBC’s Saturday morning children’s magazine show Live & Kicking alongside Jamie Theakston for three years starting in 1996.
She has two children, Woody and Nelly, with her former husband, DJ and musician Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim.
In her announcement, Ball noted that her final broadcast will take place just in time for Christmas, complete with ample merriment and excitement.
“While I’m stepping down from the Breakfast Show, I won’t be vanishing completely – I will still be part of the Radio 2 family, with further news expected in the New Year,” she continued.
“I am eager to welcome my next chapter, including being a mother in the mornings, and I eagerly anticipate tuning in during school drop-off!”
Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, commented: “Zoe has awoken the nation on Radio 2 with her remarkable warmth, humor, and vibrant spirit since January 2019. I extend my gratitude to her for bringing vigor and enthusiasm to each broadcast as if it were her inaugural show. I am delighted that she will continue to be a significant part of the Radio 2 family.”
Mills, 51, embarked on his first presenting role at the mere age of 16 for a local station in Hampshire, subsequently hosting shows in Bristol and Manchester, before joining BBC Radio 1 in 1998.
He has previously served as a substitute presenter on Radio 2, marking this as his first permanent position at the station.
