Zoe Ball has announced she’ll soon be quitting her breakfast show on BBC Radio 2.
The 53-year-old told her listeners on Tuesday morning: “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.
“I’m going to miss my amazing Prod Squad who I adore. Already missing Mike, I’m going to miss Tina and Richie. They’ve all become like family to me, like you lot.”
She continued: “But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest. So my last Breakfast show will be with you on the 20th of December and then its high kicks all the way to Christmas, gang.”
Confirming she wasn’t quitting the Beeb for good, Ball 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.
“Now of course it leaves us with a big question, who is going to wake you up in the mornings?”
Teasing her successor, she went on: “Well the good news is you don’t have to wait very long to find out.
“I am going to reveal the brand new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on this show this morning.
“But for now, know I love you all to bits and this song from Supertramp seemed like a good one to play.”
Following news of her exit, 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 she’ll remain an important part of the Radio 2 family.”
After the news was shared on the radio station’s Instagram page, famous friends, colleagues and fans rushed to share their reactions.
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Former BBC Breakfast host and current Channel 5 News star Dan Walker simply commented: “Queen of Breakfast.”
Elsewhere, BBC presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Scanlon typed: “Love you @zoetheball xx.”
Meanwhile, one fan commented: “Saw us through covid and always provided lots of laughter and the odd tear.. all the very best Zoe! Good luck on your new chapter.”
And a second echoed: “Oh Zoe. I have enjoyed listening to you for so long. You have been wonderful. Good luck on your next adventure.” (sic)
