Inside Zoe Ball's Radio 2 exit from health woes, on-air 'meltdown' to devastating tragedy

Zoe Ball shares BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show news

Zoe Ball announced she is stepping down from her self-titled Breakfast Show after six years in a sad farewell. The BBC Radio 2 host said she would remain with the station and that news about her future projects would be announced in due course.

The 53-year-old confirmed the reason behind her exit was that she finally had enough of the 4am alarm calls and is hoping to lead a slower and more relaxed pace of life and to spend more time with her family.

It comes after the broadcaster returned to her show after a lengthy absence, sparking concern among radio listeners.

Express Online takes an inside look into Zoe's time on the radio show from health woes, replacement and a heartbreaking loss.

Diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) last year, Zoe opened up about how the neurodevelopmental condition impacts concentration and behaviour, leading to potential hyperactivity, restlessness, and sleep issues.

Zoe Ball announced she is leaving BBC Radio 2 (Image: GETTY)

She told the public about her condition towards the end of the year, revealing that her son Woody, whom she shares with her former husband Norman Cook, also has ADHD.

"I am ADHD. My son and I are both, we're quite similar. I make myself laugh sometimes, because if I'm in a small space and I've got loads of tasks to do, I can cover so many miles," adding that her brain was "all over the shop," she told The Mirror.

"My family, they laugh because they'll find things of mine in certain places, and they're like, 'If you follow this, you'll see what Mum was trying to achieve'. I have 18 pairs of glasses, and I will still lose all of them... my brain is just all over the goddamn shop," Zoe chuckled.

Zoe was notably absent from her radio slot in recent weeks after the broadcaster took an extended break.

Zoe Ball announced she had quit BBC Radio 2 after more than six years on air (Image: Getty)

Zoe Ball was said to be leaning on ex-husband Norman Cook for support (Image: Getty)

She returned after more than six weeks off air when she took a break from presenting the breakfast show.

In recent weeks, the station's afternoon presenter, Scott Mills, had been hosting the station's flagship programme in Zoe's absence.

Before her return at the end of September, Zoe had not presented the programme since August 8. She did not directly address the reason for her absence.

Ahead of her return, Zoe was spotted for the first time during her BBC Radio 2 leave alongside ex-husband Norman Cook.

Zoe Ball's mum Julia Packham was diagnosed with cancer and died in April (Image: TWITTER/X/ZOE BALL)

The mum-of-two was said to be leaning on the Fatboy Slim star, the father of her two children.

The former couple were seen laughing together with a group of people outside a Hove café.

However, in the weeks before her sudden absence, Zoe suffered a heartbreaking loss. She announced the death of her mum, Julia Packham, following her cancer diagnosis in April.

Zoe had been taking time off from her show since March after revealing the "heart-breaking" diagnosis. At the time, presenter Gaby Roslin had taken the reins to host the BBC show.

Scott Mills has been announced as Zoe Ball's official Radio 2 replacement (Image: Getty)

It has since been announced that Scott Mills will replace Zoe on her morning show.

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."

Zoe's last show will be on Friday, December 20, "just in time for Christmas with plenty of fun and shenanigans," she told listeners on her Tuesday show.

Telling her listeners about her decision, she said: "I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter.

She added she would also miss her colleagues, saying they were "like family to me".