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AFTER six weeks away from her usual morning spot in the summer of 2024, Zoe Ball returned to her hit Radio 2 Breakfast Show in late September.
Less than two months later, she dropped the bombshell announcement that she is stepping down.
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Zoe Ball is best known for hosting her Radio 2 Breakfast Show every weekday morning from 6.30am to 9.30am.
On her show she keeps fans up to date with the latest in music and breaking news, and often interviews special guests including Rod Stewart and Harry Styles.
However, Zoe went "missing" for six weeks from her show from August 12, 2024, until her return on September 23, 2024.
Fans were left wondering why she took time off, as neither the BBC or Zoe gave a reason for her absence.
Stepping in for Zoe
Popular broadcaster and fellow Radio 2 star Scott Mills stood in for Zoe while she was away.
He has had some big stars as guests on the show, including Channing Tatum and Richard Osman.
Scott usually hosts an afternoon show, but switched times to fill in for Zoe.
Back to work
On September 23, 2024, Zoe returned to work and was back on air on Radio 2.
Reassuring those tuning in, she was OK, Zoe said: "Morning gorgeous people it's me Zoe the happy wanderer.
"I've wandered back. How was your Brat summer? Was it marvellous?
BBC Radio 2 host swerves explaining Zoe Ball's absence
"We did that in the 90s it was called something different then.
"I hope you've been enjoying some of the gorgeous sunsets over the last few weeks.
"It's a tad soggy our end this morning. Take it easy out on the road."
Zoe also thanked her stand in host, and said: "Thank you Scott Mills for looking after the show for the week - more on that later.
"What have I missed? Text me! Missed ya!"
As the show returned from a news break, she poked fun at her lengthy time off., and quipped: "It's me Zo!
"You may remember me from the 90s, yeah I'm back."
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Mystery absence
However, why Zoe has been away from her show still remains a mystery, as the radio star has not revealed why she took time off her show.
In March 2024, it was revealed her mum had been diagnosed with cancer, and she sadly passed away just a month later.
Although Zoe hasn't specified why she was off in August and September 2024, fans have given the star the space that she needs.
A source told the Daily Mail: "Nobody knows what has happened but everyone loves Zoe.
"We hope everything is okay. Zoe is so loved at the BBC so to not have her around is really noticeable."
Taking over from Chris Evans
Zoe took over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show after Chris Evans announced live on his Radio 2 Breakfast Show that he was stepping down.
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She began her hosting duties on January 14, 2019, after Chris moved over to Virgin Radio.
Zoe has had a long history on the airwaves and even hosted the early breakfast show on Radio 1 in the 90s.
Saying goodbye
She announced her departure on her breakfast on November 19, 2024.
But the 53-year-old said she will remain on BBC Radio 2 and teased an announcement in the new year.
Zoe 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.
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"I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter.
"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 said she would miss her colleagues as well, describing them as "like family to me," before adding: "But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I'm completely honest."
Zoe signed off with: "You know I love you all to bits."
Her last show will be on Friday, December 20, 2024.
Replacement host
Later in the morning, after announcing her decision to leave, Zoe revealed who her replacement host will be, saying: "He's one of my besties and you already know and love him."
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She then declared former Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills will be filling her shoes on the breakfast show.
The pair then reminisced about how they first met, with Scott saying she'd done him "the biggest favour of [his] career," when he first got into radio.
Zoe said: "I cannot think of someone better to do this," as she raved about Scott's talents as a presenter.
She added: "You're going to be amazing at this job. Can I say thank you as well for letting me set my alarm slightly later?"
Scott replied: "Think of all the things you've done since you started doing this," before listing her achievements, including interviews with Abba, Paul McCartney and Elton John."
"Now they're going to have all of Mills because this show, baby, is going to be yours, you're going to absolutely ace it," Zoe replied.
The biggest piece of advice Zoe gave Scott about his new job was to "get in some sleep".
Zoe Ball's career so far
Zoe was born in Blackpool and is the daughter of the children's TV presenterJohnny Balland his wife Julia.
She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children's show Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest.
The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays.
After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top Of The Pops, when she alternated with the likes ofJayne Middlemiss andJo Whiley.
In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One's saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4.
But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997.
Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post.
The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, and was succeeded by Sara Cox.
As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both Soapstar Superstar and Grease Is The Word in 2007.
In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as Radio X), when she was the voice of the weekday drivetime show until December 2003.
In 2004, she stood in for Ricky Gervais while he filmed the second series of The Office.
In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Ian Waite.
The star impressed viewers with her footwork and the duo waltzed into third place.
In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, It Takes Two.
She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries.
After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe announced she was quitting her role on BBC Two in May 2021.
Zoe's journey at BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries.
Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O'Leary, Ken Bruce and Chris Evans.
After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot's Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm.
In October 2018, Chris Evans moved to Virgin Radio and he personally announced that Zoe would take over his popular slot.
She started presenting the breakfast show on January 14, 2019.
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