Zoe Ball appeared on her last BBC Radio 2 show (Image: BBC `)
Presenter said an emotional goodbye to her Radio 2 listeners on Friday December 20.
She admitted she “didn’t know what to do with herself” as the emotion was getting to her, as she joked that she “forgot how to press the button” when she arrived for work that morning.
Her co-star Tina Daheley added that she “didn’t know which chair to sit in that day”, as Zoe told her “we’re all pretending to be okay, like the emotion isn’t getting to us”.
She added to viewers to “hold tight”, adding “we’ll get through this together”. She then referenced to her co-star Richie Anderson, who is also presenting his last show today.
He announced on air yesterday that December 20 would be his last show, and he told Zoe that “today was a big day,” as he and Zoe talked about how many lovely messages they’d received from friends and fans.
Richie continued: “I actually felt fine, I feel really chill and okay, and then I came in and hugged you and Patrick, and was like ohhh,” hinting he’d cried.
Zoe Ball paid an emotional farewell to BBC Radio 2 listeners (Image: Getty)
Zoe replied: “Oh yes, I’ve cried on Patrick this morning too, thank you Patrick for receiving tears.”
She announced her exit from her Radio 2 role in November, saying in a statement: “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.”
She continued: “My last show will be on Friday December 20, 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.
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“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 legendary host’s emotional farewell comes after six years on her daily breakfast show, where she has regularly interviewed celebrity guests and shared insights into her life.
Starting in TV on shows such as Live and Kicking, Ball eventually moved into radio as she became co-host of Radio 1 Breakfast on Radio 1 in October 1997 with Kevin Greening and covered The Radio 2 Breakfast Show for Chris Evans on several occasions
In 2018, she was announced by Chris Evans as the new host of The Radio 2 Breakfast Show, which began on 14 January 2019.