Zoe Ball steps down as presenter of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show

"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!”

Zoe Ball has announced that she will be stepping down as presenter of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

The broadcaster shared the news earlier this morning (November 19) while on air, telling listeners that “after six incredible years” hosting the 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,” she said. “Huge thanks go to my awesome team on the show, Tina, Mike and Richie, and of course our listeners, with whom I’ve shared some of life’s highs and lows, the good, the bad and the daft times.”

Ball’s final show will be on December 20 “just in time for Christmas with plenty of fun and shenanigans,” she added. “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 been named as the next host of the Breakfast Show, moving from his current slot presenting the weekday afternoon programme between 2-4pm.

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Mills previously presented the show during the summer when Ball was absent for six weeks. Upon her return in September, she thanked Mills for “looking after the show” and said there would be “more on that later”, but did not directly address the reason for her absence.

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 has 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.”