Zoe Ball confirms BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show exit

Zoe Ball has announced she's stepping down from the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show after six years.

The broadcaster will stay with the station, with news on her future projects to be announced in the New Year. Zoe's last Breakfast Show will air on December 20, with Scott Mills announced to take over in 2025 as part of wider Radio 2 schedule changes.

Speaking live on air during her Tuesday morning (19 November) broadcast, Zoe said: "Okay, you lovely bunch, I have some news. After six years of fun times alongside you all on the Breakfast Show, I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter.

"You know I think the world of you all listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you, to go through life's little ups and downs – we got through the lockdown together, didn't we?

"We've shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there's been a lot of laughter."

Zoe added that she will miss the listeners, her "amazing Prod Squad" and colleagues.

"[I'm] already missing Mike, I'm going to miss Tina and Richie. They've all become like family to me, like you lot. But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I'm completely honest."

Adding that she will stay with the "amazing family" at Radio 2, Zoe thanked her senior colleagues for their support, particularly following the death of her mother earlier this year.

She continued: "I just want to say I'm so grateful to my incredible boss ladies, to Helen and Laura and Lorna and Fiona, they have always been so supportive of me especially in this job and particularly this year, so thank you ladies.

"Now of course it leaves us with a big question, who is going to wake you up in the mornings? Well the good news is you don't have to wait very long to find out.

"I am going to reveal the brand new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on this show this morning."

Later, Zoe confirmed that Scott will become the new host of Radio 2's Breakfast Show in the new year.

They have long been friends, and hosted shows back-to-back during their Radio 1 days when Scott presented the early breakfast slot and Zoe was in charge of Radio 1's breakfast show.

"Zoe and I have been such good friends now for over 25 years and have spent much of that time as part of the same radio family here at Radio 2 and also on Radio 1," said Scott in a statement.

"She's done an incredible job on this show over the past six years, and I am beyond excited to be handed the baton.”