Zoe Ball announced on Tuesday that she will be leaving her role as BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host after six years…
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball surprised listeners on Tuesday when she announced her departure from the show after a six-year stint, and now the real reason behind her decision has been ‘revealed’. The 53-year-old expressed her heartfelt gratitude, stating she is “really touched” by the outpouring of well-wishes following her announcement to step down as host of BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show.
She plans to leave next month, citing a desire to “focus on family”, but also shared her excitement for Scott Mills, who will take over the early morning slot. Ball took over from Chris Evans in 2019 and after six years, she’s ready to say goodbye to the dawn chorus, indicating it’s time for her to “step away from the very early mornings and focus on family”.
Her final broadcast is scheduled for December 20, with Mills, currently hosting Radio 2’s afternoon slot, set to take over from January. On Instagram, Ball expressed her appreciation: “Really touched, thanks for the messages, thrilled for my mates Scott, Trevor, Spoony and Sophie.”
TV favourite Rylan Clark praised Zoe for “being the best wake-up for the past six years” while also commending Mills in his Instagram stories: “Scott, I’ve never been more happy for someone. If you grazed your knee you would bleed radio. I know how much this means to you and I’m so so proud of you”.
Zoe Ball radiated pride as she appeared beside colleague Scott Mills outside New Broadcasting House, where she shared her joy with reporters. “It has all turned out nicely,” she remarked happily, reports the Mirror.
“I’m really chuffed for my mate and really excited about it.”
The warmth Zoe brings to her audience was apparent during Tuesday’s radio show as she expressed her fond feelings: “You know I think the world of you all, listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you, to go through life’s little ups and downs, we got through the lockdown together, didn’t we? “.
“We’ve shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there’s been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats.”
Though enamoured with her role, Zoe couldn’t help but comment on the dreaded morning alarm: “But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest.”
The unexpected move from BBC Radio 2 follows a mysterious six-week break earlier in the year, with fans showing concern for their favourite DJ. Following her return, Zoe reassured her audience with a cheery ‘I’m back!
‘ Despite claiming to be pleased to return and stating she was no longer a ‘wanderer’, sources suggest that Zoe had been covering up the discontent that led to her extended absence.
Reports suggest that Zoe Ball left her Radio 2 role to focus more on her family, particularly after the death of her mother earlier this year. “She simply wants to live differently, which means having more of a family life,” an insider disclosed to Mail Online.
Zoe herself has expressed weariness with the early morning starts after half a dozen years. Following the recent loss of her mother Julia, Zoe reassessed her priorities, leading her to step back from BBC Radio 2 by choice, sources reveal.
“In the end, this was completely her decision. She came to them [the BBC] in September after she had had a break to think about her life and said: ‘I’m done.
‘ The BBC… wanted a bit of time to put everything in place, which they were able to do. They looked at who might do it… I think they only seriously considered Vernon Kay and Scott Mills.”
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