Zoe Ball quits BBC Radio 2 as she makes heartbreaking on-air announcement

Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball made the announcement live on air to listeners as she revealed her plans for the future

Zoe Ball has quit BBC Radio 2 ‘s Breakfast Show.

Announcing the news live on air today, she told listeners that she will be stepping down as presenter of the weekday Radio 2 Breakfast Show from December 20.

The news comes just months after her extended absence from the show during the summer following her mother’s death earlier this year. During that time, fellow radio hosts Scott Mills and Gabby Roslin filled in with her, with Scott now confirmed as Zoe’s permanent replacement.

In a statement on air, Zoe said that she believed it was time to “start a new chapter” after six years of early starts. However, she confirmed that she would be still be working with Radio 2 in some capacity after her exit.

She said: “Ok you lovely bunch, I have some news. After six years of fun times alongside you all on the Breakfast Show, I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. 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?

Zoe Ball shared the sad news of her Radio 2 departure live on air
“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. I’m going to miss my amazing Prod Squad who I adore. Already missing Mike, I’m going to miss Tina and Richie. They’ve all become like family to me, like you lot. But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest. So my last Breakfast show will be with you on the 20th of December and then its high kicks all the way to Christmas, gang.

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“I’m not going to be a stranger, I’m staying in the Radio 2 crew and family because it’s an amazing family – as we saw last week with Paddy’s fantastic Children in Need challenge- and I’ll have more news on that in the New Year. I just want to say I’m so grateful to my incredible boss ladies, to Helen and Laura and Lorna and Fiona, they have always been so supportive of me especially in this job and particularly this year, so thank you ladies. Now of course it leaves us with a big question, who is going to wake you up in the mornings? Well the good news is you don’t have to wait very long to find out. I am going to reveal the brand new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on this show this morning . But for now, know I love you all to bits and this song from Supertramp seemed like a good one to play.”

Scott has since responded to the news that he will be taking over from Zoe, saying in a statement: “Zoe and I have been such good friends now for over 25 years and have spent much of that time as part of the same radio family here at Radio 2 and also on Radio 1. She’s done an incredible job on this show over the past six years, and I am beyond excited to be handed the baton.”

Scott Mills will be replacing Zoe Ball in the new year ( 
Image:
@realscottmills/Instagram)

Zoe has given her full support to Scott ( 
Image:
BBC/Ray Burmiston)
“It feels ever since recording my first shows as a kid for an audience of one, my mum, all roads since have led to this amazing opportunity. It really is a lifelong dream come true to follow in the footsteps of Sir Terry, Chris and Zoe to be the new presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.”

Zoe herself has given her full support to Scott, hailing him as a “close friend for years” and saying she’s “beyond thrilled” he’s taking over his spot as it’s “always been his dream”.

She said: “Scott and I go way back to our Radio 1 days, when he was doing early mornings before me. He’s been a close friend for years, and I’m beyond thrilled it’s him taking over the Breakfast Show. Breakfast has always been his dream, and what a year he’s had – from racing around the world to his beautiful wedding to Sam. He’s not only a blooming brilliant producer but one of the best in radio. I can’t wait to tune in on the school run!”

Zoe was the first female host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 1998, a post she held until 2000. She also co-hosted the BBC ’s Saturday morning children’s magazine Live & Kicking alongside Jamie Theakston for three years from 1996.

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said: “Zoe has woken up the nation on Radio 2 with incredible warmth, wit and so much joy since January 2019, and I’d like to thank her for approaching each show with as much vim and vigour as if it were her first. I’m thrilled that she’ll remain an important part of the Radio 2 family.”

Zoe, who took over from Chris Evans in 2018, was revealed to be the highest paid female at the BBC over the last year, earning between £950,000 and £954,999, while Radio 1 breakfast show host Greg James was paid between £415,000 and £419,999. She was still someway behind Match of the Day host Gary Lineker, who raked in between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999 over the last 12 months.

Zoe addressed her six-week absence upon her return to Radio 2 in September. Speaking to fans at the top of the show at 6.30am she said: “Morning gorgeous people its me Zoe the happy wanderer. I’ve wandered back. How was your Brat summer? Was it marvellous? We did that in the 90s it was called something different then…” she quipped. “I hope you’ve been enjoying some of the gorgeous sunsets over the last few weeks. It’s a tad soggy our end this morning. Take it easy out on the road.”

She is leaving the show after six years ( 
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The presenter has had an incredibly tough year following her mum Julia’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis and death. In a tribute to her mum following her death in April, Zoe wrote: “Sleep tight dear Mama. Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy. And how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts. We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other. Your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us.”

Since then, Zoe has been spending more time with son Woody and her ex-husband Norman Coo k. In September, Zoe was spotted for the first time during her BBC Radio 2 leave alongside Norman. They were seen laughing together with a group of people outside a café in Hove.

A friend from Hove told the Daily Mail in October: “They always seem to be together.” While another claimed to the publication that the former couple have been attending their son Woody’s DJ gigs together.

Zoe recently made the move from her £2million country home to a townhouse in Brighton, where Norman also lives. It has been claimed the former couple come together for family occasions as well as Sunday lunches with their children Woody, 23, and daughter Nelly, 14.

She has presented the BBC spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing : It Takes Two, and ITV ’s reality competition show Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.