In 2024, Zoe Ball, the much-loved host of BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show, stepped 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.
Discover our latest podcast
Her tenure at Radio 2’s Breakfast Show spanned key global events, including the pandemic.
Why did Zoe Ball leave?
When the 53-year-old, who suffers from TMJ, announced her departure from the show, she revealed why she made her decision. She wanted to start a new chapter in her life, similar to many actors and presenters who have done the same role for years. She 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.
However, she left her fans with a small glimmer of hope:
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 has since replaced Zoe Ball on the show.
What is Zoe Ball doing now?
We're still waiting for more news from Zoe on the next steps of her career, but in the meantime her 24-year-old son, who she shares with ex-partner Norman Cook (aka Fat Boy Slim) has spilled some details. In an exclusive interview with Mail Online he has given us a sneak peek into what her life looks like now that she's not on the Breakfast Show.
Cook sharedthat his 'party parents' had changed the pace of their life over the last couple of years, and now do activities that are radically different. He said:
In the last five years, it's been funny watching my parents take up gardening both of them.
These crazy party people I grew up with are now gardening, making puzzles and working in the local café.
The local café is that of Norman Cook, who owns Big Beach Cafe in Hove. It seems the co-parents are spending more time together, just as it was reported in 2024.
Indeed, in September 2024, it was rumoured that Zoe had relocated to a townhouse that is closer to where Cook lives in Portslade, a suburb in Brighton and Hove. Moreover, a local friend claimed that the two 'always seem to be together.' At the time, another source said that she and Cook had been going to their son's DJ-ing gigs together.
In his exclusive interview, he revealed that her decision has brought their family closer than ever, especially given the death of Zoe's mother in early 2024.
And who knows what will come next? That might be the more you know up in the air, but at the moment, you know, she's great and we're definitely more of a family unit than we've ever been.
We're all coming together, last year made all of us remember how much we treasure everyone in our lives
With losing some people, it really brings everyone else closer together.
He also said that he was excited to spend more time with his mother given that they had conflicting schedules before. He added:
There were a lot of times when we were on literally the opposite schedules, so to have a bit more togetherness and be able to see each other more is nice.
I think it's going to bring everyone together more, so I'm really excited. She's worked so hard for it and there was a lot of stress with the job and everything, so I think it's a great time for her to see her friends and family more.
Read more:
David Attenborough: BBC issues statement after viewers get concerned about his voice in new show
Alex Scott: Rumours she could be leaving BBC as her contract is up for renewal
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
