Zoe Ball, the much-loved host of BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show, is stepping down after six years at the helm. She joined the show in January 2019 after Chris Evans’ long-running tenure and made history as the first woman to host Radio 1 and Radio 2’s breakfast shows. According to BBC, she first joined BBC Radio in October 1997 and has become a household name ever since.
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Her tenure at Radio 2’s Breakfast Show spanned key global events including the pandemic. Zoe - who ha recently been spending more time with her ex-husband - is set to air her last show on December 20, 2024, just before Christmas.
Why is Zoe Ball leaving and who will replace her?
The 53-year-old announced her departure from the show this week on Tuesday’s show, reports Sky News. Revealing that she will still be a part of the BBC’s Radio 2 team, Zoe shared:
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.
Adding:
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!
Scott Mills is going to replace Zoe Ball on the show. As per OK! Magazine, Scott is ‘beyond excited’ to be taking over the presenting duties from Zoe. He said:
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.
Who is Scott Mills?
Scott Mills started his career at 16 on Power FM - a local commercial station in Hampshire. He then moved to GWR FM in Bristol, Piccadilly Key 103 in Manchester and later Heart 106.2. As per The Standard, Scott joined BBC Radio 1 in 1998 as the host of the early breakfast show.
During his time at Radio 1, he became a part of a variety of shows across the station and went on to host The Scott Mills Show. In 2022, Scott transitioned to BBC Radio 2 and took over Steve Wright’s weekday afternoon slot of 2pm to 4pm. He has co-hosted Eurovision coverage, appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, and recently won Celebrity Race Across the World with his husband, Sam Vaughan-Mills.
Read more:
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Sources used:
BBC: Zoe Ball quits Radio 2 Breakfast, Scott Mills taking over
Sky News: Zoe Ball to leave her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show - and will be replaced by Scott Mills
OK! Magazine: Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 Breakfast replacement revealed as she quits after 6 years
The Standard: Scott Mills: The radio DJ who began entertaining listeners as a teenager
