Zoe Ball has broken her silence on her departure from BBC Radio 2 and admitted she feels “very touched” by the support she has received.
On Tuesday morning, Ball revealed that after six years she was leaving her Breakfast show next month.
Her final broadcast will be on December 20. She told listeners: “Okay you lovely bunch, I have some news.
“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.
“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.”
She confirmed she wasn’t quitting the broadcaster for good, and went on: “I’m not going to be a stranger, I’m staying in the Radio 2 crew and family because it’s an amazing family – as we saw last week with Paddy’s fantastic Children in Need challenge – and I’ll have more news on that in the New Year.
“I just want to say I’m so grateful to my incredible boss ladies, to Helen and Laura and Lorna and Fiona. They have always been so supportive of me, especially in this job and particularly this year, so thank you, ladies.”
Ball was flooded with support, which she addressed on her Instagram post, sharing an image of Snoopy the dog holding a balloon which said: “All of me loves all of you.”
She captioned the image: “Really touched, thanks for the messages. Thrilled for my mates Scott Trevor Spoony & Sophie.”
Ball, beaming alongside Mills for a photo op outside New Broadcasting House, told reporters of her pride for her colleague Mills.
“It has all turned out nicely. I’m really chuffed for my mate and really excited about it,” the Mirror reported.
Mills also paid tribute to Ball and shared his excitement about taking over her show, and penned on Instagram: “Today has been another mad day of which I feel there have been many in 2024.
“I am truly honoured to be taking over the biggest breakfast show in the UK from my forever friend @zoetheball.
“I honestly feel that I’ve been love bombed since the announcement. A huge thank you to all my colleagues past and present who have sent love, and for all of your kind messages on here.” (sic)
Whilst Mills and Ball are looking forward to seeing him take over, many fans were left less than impressed with the replacement and took to their X accounts to claim they were “switching off forever”.
“Scott Mills?? That’s me off the breakfast show,” one penned before another expressed: “Oh NO. And then it’s B****y SCOTT MILLS! Off to Greatest Hits radio then!”
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A third said: “That’s me switching off The Breakfast Show forever! What is it with Scott Mills? Dread to think who’s taking over the Afternoon Show.
“It couldn’t get any worse though….@BBCRadio2. Scott Mills?? That’s me off the breakfast show.”
However, some listeners looked forward to Mills taking the reins, as one praised: “Brilliant news to hear that @scott_mills will be taking over the @BBCRadio2 breakfast show when Zoe Ball moves on to the next chapter of her life.” (sic)
