This Tuesday, sent shockwaves through her audience as she declared her departure from the show after a six-year journey.
At 53, Zoe expressed her deep appreciation, overwhelmed by the support she received after her revelation. She said she was “really touched” by all the messages of goodwill and showed excitement for Scott Mills, who is about to fill her shoes.
The celebrated broadcaster is set to take her leave next month, pointing at a desire to “focus on family” as her primary motivation while also voicing her delight for Mills stepping into the breakfast slot.
Taking over from Chris Evans in 2019, Zoe is now preparing to say her goodbyes to the early starts, eager to “step away from the very early mornings and focus on family”. Her listeners will hear her voice for the last time on December 20, with Scott, the current host of Radio 2’s afternoon show, gearing up for his January debut.
On , Zoe didn’t hesitate to show her gratitude: “Really touched, thanks for the messages, thrilled for my mates Scott, Trevor, Spoony and Sophie.”
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Scott Mills will be taking over from Zoe Ball. (Image: 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Meanwhile, TV star Rylan Clark described Zoe as “the best wake-up call for the past six years” and heaped praises on his pal Scott via his 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 radiated joy as she posed outside New Broadcasting House with her colleague Scott, expressing her delight to the press: “It has all turned out nicely,” she beamed.
“I’m really chuffed for my mate and really excited about it.”
Zoe Ball with son Woody Cook. (Image: INSTAGRAM)
The much-adored presenter touched the hearts of her listeners during Tuesday’s radio programme, warmly telling them: “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.”
Although she cherished her role, Zoe couldn’t hide her true feelings about the gruelling early starts: “But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest.”
The surprise exit of Zoe from Radio 2 followed an unexplained absence earlier in the year that had lasted six weeks, causing worry among listeners. When Zoe made her return after this mysterious break, she jubilantly announced “I’m back!”
Back then, Zoe proclaimed her contentment at being on air again, assuring Radio 2 fans that she was no longer a “wanderer”.
Yet, insiders claim that Zoe’s upbeat front was concealing deep-set unhappiness which resulted in her initial time away from the microphone.
Insiders have revealed that Zoe Ball’s departure from her Radio 2 role is fuelled by a yearning for more family time with her children, Woody, 23, and Nellie, 14, especially after the loss 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, while Zoe herself admitted she’s had enough of the early morning starts after a six-year stint on the show.
The death of her mother Julia has been cited as a turning point in Zoe’s approach to balancing work and personal life. Regarding her decision to step down from Radio 2, a source commented: “In the end, this was completely her decision. She came to them [the ] in September after she had had a break to think about her life and said, ‘I’m done.’
“The … 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.”