Zoe Ball has revealed she's stepping down from one of the most sought-after roles in radio. "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," she announced to her listeners yesterday morning.
Zoe confirmed she will remain with the BBC, but there will be a significant benefit to relinquishing the early-morning slot. On the Table Manners podcast, Zoe disclosed that she wakes up around 5am to host her show – which disrupts her body clock.
The 53 year old presenter admitted that like many shift workers, she struggles to maintain regular bowel movements. However, she was quick to add that this is the only downside to hosting the Breakfast Show: "I love my job. I've always loved it. I love being a buffoon and dancing around," Zoe expressed.
"And also my team. They are such a laugh... they're all half my age. their parents are all younger than me."
She detailed how they gather in the office before 6am every day, drink "really bad" BBC coffee and share "scandals and gossip" until the show starts. "I'm always gobsmacked how many people are up at that time of day," she remarked.
"So many people are up. So really, you're paid to play some tunes and chat a bit of nonsense... my bowels might not work and I might be a bit grumpy about four o'clock. I need a nap. But it's just a joy and I love it."
She revealed that she often takes a mid-afternoon nap, but struggles if she has to go to bed before her children. During the week, she confessed to being quite over-tired: "I'm always slightly grumpy and a bit twitchy."
"But then in the evening," she continued, "I like to see a bit of The One Show or I like to listen to Joe Wiley because she plays brilliant music. And then if I'm still listening during Trevor Nelson's show, then I'm in trouble because then it's really, then it's well late!"
Zoe, who previously hosted Radio 1's early morning show, took over Radio 2's flagship breakfast show after Chris Evans left for Virgin Radio in January 2019.
She took a break from hosting her show over the summer for personal reasons, returning in September. This role made her the BBC's highest-paid female presenter in 2023-24, with a salary of around £950,000 - making her second on the list of top-earning talent behind Gary Lineker, according to the corporation's most recent annual report.
English (US) ·