Zoe Ball has a decorated career both in radio and television (Image: Getty Images)
Beloved broadcaster is admired by many – but it hasn’t always been plain sailing for the celebrated star.
The 53-year-old presenter, who announced her shock departure form her Breakfast Show today (November 19), previously opened up about how her life has een affected by a commonly misunderstood condition.
Earlier this year, the mum-of-two admitted she suffered a ‘meltdown’ while filming for Taskmaster’s New Year Treat.
The trailblazer found herself struggling to cope when she and fellow celebrity guests Deborah Meaden, Kojey Radical, Lenny Rush and Steve Backshall were given a time-sensitive task, reports .
The TV star, who was diagnosed with Attention-defecit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) last year, confessed that working under pressure is not her strong suit.
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She made history as the first female host of the Radio 1 and Radio 2 Breakfast Show (Image: BBC )
While she was on the show, she admitted: “So, a particular task involved a bit of timing, which is maths, which is, again, not a strength, I physically started to melt down. That did hurt my head.”
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects concentration and behaviour, often causing hyperactivity and sleep issues. Its manifestation in girls and women can differ, resulting in historic misdiagnosis or invisibility.
According to the NHS, girls may often present with less disruptive behaviour and more inattentiveness when it comes to ADHD, which can lead to their symptoms being overlooked. Those with ADHD may be forgetful, struggle with following instructions, and have trouble staying on task or organising their work.
In an interview with the Mirror in December last year, Zoe candidly discussed her own ADHD diagnosis and the challenges she faces with seemingly simple tasks, confessing: “My brain is just all over the goddamn shop. I am ADHD.”
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She has spoken out about her ADHD diagnosis (Image: Instagram/woody_cook)
She shared insights into her family life, noting similarities with her son Woody, adding: “My son [Woody] and I are both, we’re quite similar.
“I make myself laugh sometimes, because if I’m in a small space and I’ve got loads of tasks to do, I can cover so many miles. My family, they laugh because they’ll find things of mine in certain places and they’re like, ‘If you follow this, you’ll see what Mum was trying to achieve’.”
She also humorously remarked on her tendency to misplace things: “I have 18 pairs of glasses and I will still lose all of them… my brain is just all over the goddamn shop. So a particular task involved a bit of timing, which is maths, which is, again, not a strength, I physically started to melt down. That did hurt my head.”
It comes after the presenter made an emotional announcement to her devoted listeners this morning, announcing that she is ready to ‘start a new chapter’ after six years hosting her Breakfast Show on Radio 2.
The broadcaster recently announced she is stepping down from her Breakfast Show (Image: BBC)
Zoe expressed: “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? “.
“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.”
She went on to reassure listeners that she won’t be leaving the radio station for good as she teased an exciting new role in the new year.
The doting mum insisted: “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.”
Zoe has been a trailblazer for women in broadcasting, becoming the first female host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 1998 and holding the position until 2000.
She joined Radio 2 in 2006 and made history again in January 2019 when she became the first woman to present the Radio 2 Breakfast Show after taking over from Chris Evans. Zoe will step down after December 20, passing the baton to fellow radio veteran Scott Mills.
Scott Mills will be replacing her on the show (Image: PA)
Scott, aged 51, has expressed his immense excitement about taking over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show following Zoe’s departure.
He shared with his fans: “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. 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.”