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Zoe Ball announced her departure from Radio 2’s Breakfast Show after six years yesterday to ‘focus on family’ and her replacement was confirmed as Scott Mills.
The 53-year-old announced the news she’s stepping down as presenter of the weekday Radio 2 Breakfast Show in December on yesterday morning’s show.
Zoe will remain on the station, with more announcements to come. Fellow Radio 2 presenter Scott, 51 – who filled in for mum-of-two during her unexplained absence earlier this year – will be taking on the job.
Now a source has told the Daily Mail that Zoe’s ex-husband and father of her two children, DJ Fatboy Slim – real name Norman Cook – is ‘very much there’ for his ex.
This comes after the pair were spotted enjoying some family time with a wider group at a café in Hove during her unexplained absence from Radio 2 in September.
Zoe has endured a tough year, as she suffered a devastating loss when her mother died suddenly in April just 12 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.
The radio DJ had announced her mother Julia Peckham’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis in March and took time off work to care for her in another unexpected absence.
Just before Zoe came back from her second work absence in September, her son Woody told MailOnline that he was ‘glad to see her smiling through tough times’.
It was also recently reported that Zoe has ‘sold her £2,000,000 mansion to move closer to ex-husband Fatboy Slim’, who she shares children Woody Cook, 23, and Nelly Cook, 14, with.
The Praise You hitmaker, 61, and Zoe tied the knot in 1999 and were married for 17 years.
Taking to the airwaves yesterday, Zoe announced: ‘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.’
‘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!’
Less than an hour after Zoe’s career move was announced, her replacement was confirmed as Scott, who will be hosting the breakfast slot every weekday morning, moving on from his weekday afternoon programme (2pm – 4pm).
Trevor Nelson, who currently presents Rhythm Nation each Monday – Thursday (10pm – midnight), will present the 2-4pm weekday afternoon show from January.
Making the announcement about her replacement, Zoe confirmed: ‘Hosting the breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 from next year, it’s my gorgeous friend Scott Mills!’
Joining Zoe on air, Scott and her hugged as she said: ‘I’m so happy it’s you!’
Scott then remembered when the pair met 25 years ago when he was ‘a little baby’ on Radio 1, and Zoe took him ‘under [her] wing’.
Standing outside the BBC following the announcement and posing for photos alongside Scott, Zoe said she’s ‘really chuffed for my mate’ as the pair hugged.
In a statement, Scott said: ‘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.
‘She’s done an incredible job on this show over the past six years, and I am beyond excited to be handed the baton.
‘It feels ever since recording my first shows as a kid for an audience of one, my mum, all roads since have led to this amazing opportunity.
‘It really is a lifelong dream come true to follow in the footsteps of Sir Terry, Chris and Zoe to be the new presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.’
Of her replacement, Zoe said: ‘Scott and I go way back to our Radio 1 days, when he was doing early mornings before me.
‘He’s been a close friend for years, and I’m beyond thrilled it’s him taking over the Breakfast Show. Breakfast has always been his dream, and what a year he’s had – from racing around the world to his beautiful wedding to Sam.
‘He’s not only a blooming brilliant producer but one of the best in radio. I can’t wait to tune in on the school run!’
Zoe joined Radio 2 in 2006, presenting documentaries and programmes for three years before she began presenting the Saturday early morning breakfast show.
In 2017, Zoe hosted the Saturday afternoon show from 3pm until 6pm, and two years later she became the first woman to host the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, taking over from Chris Evans.
Scott began his DJ career aged 16 on Hampshire’s Power FM and before long he was given a regular slot and became the UK’s youngest presenter.
After moving through a few city radio stations, Scott joined London’s Heart FM in 1995, and three years later he was approached by Radio 1.
Elsewhere in the BBC Radio 2 schedule change, Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco will be extended from one to two hours from9-11pm on Friday nights.
Meanwhile, DJ Spoony will extend his weekly edition of The Good Grove (Friday nights – 9-11pm) to four weekly shows on Monday to Thursday nights (10pm – midnight).
Presenter Rylan took to social media to shower Zoe and Scott with love after the announcement, as he wrote: ‘Zoe we love you loads thank you so much for shaping Saturday afternoons for me and being the best wake up for the past 6 years.
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‘Scott, I’ve never been more happy for someone. If you grazed your knee you would bleed radio. I know how much this means to you and I’m so so proud of you. Just gutted we won’t have many late nights now….. actually we will. Love you both x’
The announcement comes after Zoe reappeared in September after a six-week mysterious absence from her usual slot, which was temporarily filled by Scott Mills.
Returning to the radio she joked that she hadn’t been to Turkey to have a ‘new face and teeth,’ but didn’t divulge exactly where she had been for the past month and a bit.
She then told listeners: ‘What have I missed? Text me. I’ve missed ya!’
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