BBC presenter Zoe Ball has announced she is stepping down from hosting the Radio 2 breakfast show after six years in December – to be replaced by her ‘bestie’ Scott Mills.
The 53-year-old announced on air this morning that she has decided to step down but will remain on the station.
Announcing the news on air, she said: ‘After six incredible years on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it’s time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family. It’s been a privilege.
‘I think the world of you listeners and I’m grateful to my bosses here for their support, especially this year.
‘Huge thanks go to my awesome team on the show, Tina, Mike and Richie, and of course our listeners, with whom I’ve shared some of life’s highs and lows, the good, the bad and the daft times.’
Zoe Ball has stepped down as presenter of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show
The 53-year-old took over the Radio 2 morning programme in 2019 from Chris Evans.
Ball 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.
In an official statement, she said: ‘After six incredible years on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it’s time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family. It’s been a privilege.
‘I think the world of you listeners and I’m grateful to my bosses here for their support, especially this year.’
Ball said her last show will be on December 20, adding: ‘Just in time for Christmas with plenty of fun and shenanigans.
‘While I’m stepping away from the Breakfast Show, I’m not disappearing entirely – I’ll still be a part of the Radio 2 family, with more news in the New Year.
‘I’m excited to embrace my next chapter, including being a mum in the mornings, and I can’t wait to tune in on the school run!’
The presenter’s decision to step away from the show comes after she sparked concern with a mysterious six-week absence from the airwaves.
In September, she returned to air with business as usual as she offered her fans a lively welcome back and asked listeners ‘what have I missed?’
Ball also extended her thanks to her colleague and radio presenter Scott Mills for covering her show as she added: ‘Just wanted to say a thank you to Scott for looking after the show and of course Spoony for looking after Scott’s show.
‘He was supposed to be going on holiday DJing around the world he had to change all his plans so thank you boys and thank you everyone for being so supportive.
‘Lots of you sent so many messages from listeners they meant the world so I thank you to all your gorgeous ones.’
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 that she’ll remain an important part of the Radio 2 family.’
Ball 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.
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