Having spent the past six years presenting the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Zoe Ball has told listeners that she is hanging up her headphones and is embarking on a “new chapter” of her life. With her last show taking place shortly before Christmas, Scott Mills, who currently presents the station’s 2pm to 4pm show, will be replacing Zoe following her departure - something which he says has been a lifelong dream.
So, as Zoe, 53, prepares to kick off a whole new adventure in her career, let’s take a peek at the radio DJ’s history-making career to date, from her rise to fame in the 90s to becoming a household name…
Career beginnings
As the daughter of children's TV presenter Johnny Ball, Zoe followed in her father’s footsteps back when she made her debut on our screens on the pre-school programme Playdays. After that, the mum-of-two worked hard to forge a career on the small screen and became a presenter on SMart alongside Mark Speight and Jay Burridge in 1994.
Also during the nineties, Zoe secured a series of other high profile gigs, including on The Big Breakfast and Top Of The Pops, where she worked alongside the likes of Jo Whiley - whom she’d later work with on radio.
History making success
Back in 1998, the TV personality made history when she became the first female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Breakfast show. Zoe hosted the programme alongside Kevin Greening, before leaving the station two years later.
“I remember our quiz Shop 'Em or Drop 'Em, where Hollywood stars would have to either give us a piece of gossip or drop their pants, and Samuel L Jackson dropped his jeans,” she told BBC in 2019 as she reflected on her Radio 1 days.
“It was quite wild... I saw my old team recently and we were like, 'God, do you remember when we went to France for the Euros and I broke Simon Mayo's ankle playing five-a-side football?”
Strictly Come Dancing fame
Not one to shy away from a challenge, in 2005 Zoe signed up for Strictly Come Dancing where she was paired up with Ian Waite. The pair ended up finishing the show in third place, with cricketer Darren Gough taking home the Strictly Glitterball Trophy.
Six years after impressing viewers at home with her skills on the dancefloor, she took over from Claudia Winkleman and became the host of the spin-off show It Takes Two in 2011. However, after a decade presenting the show, Zoe left in 2021 and explained that she was looking forward to some new “cha cha challenges”.
Move back to radio
In January 2019, Zoe made BBC history for a second time when she became the first woman to present the Radio 2 Breakfast Show as she took over from Chris Evans. During her six years on the show, Zoe became known for her ‘Friends Round Friday’ segment and interviewed some of the biggest stars, including Chris Hemsworth and Kylie Minogue.
However, on Tuesday, 19 November, Zoe gave listeners an emotional update as she explained that she’d be leaving the show. “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?,” she said.
“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. I'm going to miss my amazing Prod Squad who I adore. 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.”
The Masked Singer 'superpower'
Elsewhere, Zoe has become a familiar face on our screens thanks to her appearance on shows including Celebrity Gogglebox, The One Show and The Big Family Cooking Showdown. Back in 2021, Zoe wowed fans as she took part in The Masked Singer, where she was known as ‘Llama’, though became the sixth celebrity to be eliminated.
“The whole thing is bonkers – I loved being Llama and trotting about. Not speaking was hard though,” she said. “It’s still nerve-wracking – lots of heavy breathing and sweating but ultimately an absolute hoot. I definitely wouldn’t be as brave without my Llama disguise. The outfit gives you a superpower.”
