Zoe Ball will be replaced as host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show by her ‘bestie’ Scott Mills as she steps down to ‘focus on family’ – but fans are divided over the decision to have him taking over.
The 53-year-old announced on air this morning that she will be leaving the primetime show in December after six years but remaining on the station – and listeners have been responding to news of her successor with a blend of complaints and congratulations.
Ball – who replaced Chris Evans in 2019 – took a break from hosting her show over the summer before returning in September.
Announcing the news on her show this morning, she said: ‘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.’
Ball said she was ‘thrilled’ to reveal Mills, 51, as her replacement, telling listeners: ‘Scott and I go way back to our Radio 1 days, when he was doing early mornings before me. He’s been a close friend for years, and I’m beyond thrilled it’s him taking over the Breakfast Show.
‘Breakfast has always been his dream, and what a year he’s had – from racing around the world to his beautiful wedding to Sam. He’s not only a blooming brilliant producer but one of the best in radio. I can’t wait to tune in on the school run!’.
Zoe Ball has stepped down as presenter of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show
Ball said she was ‘thrilled’ to reveal Scott Mills, 51, as her replacement
Reaction on social media has been mixed, however, with one listener branding him ‘such a terrible replacement’ while another called this morning’s announcement ‘horrific news’.
Others have vowed to switch off as a result, with one saying it was ‘time to find another station’.
Yet others have been more favourable, with responses including ‘fantastic news’ and offering ‘huge congratulations’ while describing him as ‘equally talented’ to Zoe.
Mills joined his friend on her show this morning and said he was ‘beyond excited’ to be taking over.
He said: ‘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.’
Ball was the first female host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 1998, a post she held until 2000.
She also co-hosted the BBC’s Saturday morning children’s magazine Live & Kicking alongside Jamie Theakston for three years from 1996.
Ball told listeners this morning: ‘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.’
The 53-year-old took over the Radio 2 morning programme in 2019 from Chris Evans
Social media reaction to Scott Mills taking over from Zoe Ball as host of Radio 2’s breakfast show has been divided, with a mix of complaints and congratulations posted online
And in an official statement, she said: ‘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.’
Ball said her last show will be on December 20, adding: ‘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.
‘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 presenter’s decision to step away from the show comes after she sparked concern with a mysterious six-week absence from the airwaves.
In September, she returned to air with business as usual as she offered her fans a lively welcome back and asked listeners ‘what have I missed?’
Ball also extended her thanks to her colleague and radio presenter Scott Mills for covering her show as she added: ‘Just wanted to say a thank you to Scott for looking after the show and of course Spoony for looking after Scott’s show.
‘He was supposed to be going on holiday DJing around the world he had to change all his plans so thank you boys and thank you everyone for being so supportive.
‘Lots of you sent so many messages from listeners they meant the world so I thank you to all your gorgeous ones.’
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 said: ‘Zoe has woken up the nation on Radio 2 with incredible warmth, wit and so much joy since January 2019, and I’d like to thank her for approaching each show with as much vim and vigour as if it were her first.
‘I’m thrilled that that she’ll remain an important part of the Radio 2 family.’
Ball has presented the BBC spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, and ITV’s reality competition show Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.
Radio 2 also announced today that Trevor Nelson, who currently presents Rhythm Nation each Monday to Thursday from 10pm to midnight, will be the presenter of the 2-4pm weekday afternoon show from January.
And DJ Spoony will extend his weekly edition of The Good Grove – currently on Friday nights from 9pm to 11pm – to four weekly shows on Monday to Thursday nights from 10pm to midnight.
Meanwhile, Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco, a BBC Sounds commission for Radio 2, will be extended from one to two hours and now run on Friday nights from 9pm to 11pm.
