Zoe Ball is set to leave her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show after six years, she has announced.
The star caused concern earlier this year after she vanished from the airwaves for more than six weeks. She returned in late September.
But she has now confirmed that she will be stepping down from hosting the breakfast show in December. Shortly after her announcement, it was confirmed Scott Mills would be replacing her, and that the rest of Radio 2’s schedule was getting a shake-up too.
READ MORE: Zoe Ball’s Gogglebox star son quizzed on BBC Radio 2 host’s mystery absence
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Zoe Ball said: “Ok 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.
(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
“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.
“But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest.”
She went on: “So my last Breakfast show will be with you on the 20th of December and then it’s high kicks all the way to Christmas, gang.
“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.”
(Image: PA)
She added: “Now of course it leaves us with a big question, who is going to wake you up in the mornings? 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.”
Earlier this year, Zoe got tongues wagging when she vanished from her show and was replaced by Scott Mills. Before her break, her final show had been August 8, and she returned on September 23.
No reason was given for Zoe’s absence, though she joked it wasn’t because she’d gone to Turkey for “a new face and teeth”. The absence came not long after Zoe had returned from holiday, so fans were doubly confused.
However some believe it may be linked to the death of her mother Julia Peckham. Zoe’s beloved mum died in April following her diagnosis with cancer.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
