BBC favourite Zoe Ball was overcome with emotion during her final ever Radio 2 Breakfast show, where she bid a tearful farewell to her listeners after six years
10:01, 20 Dec 2024Updated 10:04, 20 Dec 2024
Zoe Ball broke down in tears during her final ever BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show.
The 53-year-old broadcaster is stepping away from her Breakfast show after six years in the slot. It's been confirmed Scott Mills will be her replacement, moving from the weekday afternoon show he hosts between 2 and 4pm.
Zoe choked up while presenting her final Breakfast show on Friday (December 20), where she said goodbye to her listeners. She admitted she "didn't know what to do with herself" as the emotion was getting to her.
She also joked she "forgot how to press the button" and that she was crying so much she couldn't see the buttons on her desk. Zoe said: "Everything’s going to go wrong because I can’t see the buttons through my giddy tears. We’ve had some tears already.
"We don’t quite know what to do with ourselves this morning, do we? I’ve come in and I suddenly can’t remember how to press the button. We’re all pretending we’re going to be OK, that the emotion isn’t getting to us - but it’s definitely getting to us. So hold tight!
"I’ve already had a little cry on Patrick! But we’re going to have lots of fun today. We’re playing some of my favourite records today – both Christmassy and non-Christmassy ones and we’ll get through as many messages from the listeners as we can.
Her co-star Tina Daheley added that she "didn't know which chair to sit in that day". Zoe then referenced to her co-star Richie Anderson, who is also presenting his last show this week.
The Strictly star announced on air yesterday that December 20 would be his last show, and he told Zoe that "today was a big day," as he and Zoe discussed the many lovely messages they'd received from friends and fans.
Richie said: "I actually felt fine, I feel really chill and okay, and then I came in and hugged you and Patrick, and was like ohhh," hinting he'd cried. Zoe replied: "Oh yes, I've cried on Patrick this morning too, thank you Patrick for receiving tears."
Zoe announced her exit from her Radio 2 role in November, revealing she wanted to step away from the airwaves in order to focus on her family. It came after Zoe announced her mum Julia had died after being diagnosed with cancer.
In a statement about her exit, 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. 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. 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."
She continued: "My last show will be on Friday December 20, just in time for Christmas with plenty of fun and shenanigans. 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!". The legendary BBC host comes after six years on her daily breakfast show, where she has regularly interviewed celebrity guests and shared insights into her life.
It was 2018 when she was announced by Chris Evans as the new host of The Radio 2 Breakfast Show, which began on 14 January 2019.
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