Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 replacement reacts to BBC announcement
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The person taking over from Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 has shared their thoughts on being named the new host of the breakfast show.
On Tuesday, November 19, it was announced that Ball would step down from her role after an amazing six years. She took over the position in 2018, succeeding Chris Evans.
Mills, who filled in for Ball during her time off to look after her mother, will be the ninth person to take on the hosting role of the show. The program has previously been hosted by notable figures like Ken Bruce and Sir Terry Wogan, who passed away in 2016.
The DJ responded to his appointment soon after Ball made the announcement, saying, “Zoe and I have been great friends for over 25 years, and during much of that time, we've been part of the same radio community at Radio 2 and previously at Radio 1.”
“She has done an amazing job with this show for the last six years, and I’m really thrilled to take over.”
He mentioned that it seems like “everything has pointed to this incredible chance” ever since he made his initial recordings as a child for his sole listener – his mother. He described it as “a lifelong dream realized” to take over as the new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, following in the footsteps of Sir Terry, Chris, and Zoe.
Mills made the switch to Radio 2 in 2022 after spending 24 years hosting shows on Radio 1.
As he stepped away from the station, he shared his feelings with his listeners: "It's hard to believe I've been at Radio 1 for 24 years—that's wild. Of course, I'd love for this to last indefinitely and stay young forever. I still feel that way, but I know it can't last. However, I'm not too down about it because I really believe this isn't the end, you know?"
The DJ, who came to Radio 2 to take over from Steve Wright two years prior to his passing, is set to start his role as the breakfast show host on December 20. Trevor Nelson will take over Mills's weekday afternoon program starting in January 2025.
In recent years, Mills has led the BBC's Eurovision broadcasts with his friend and fellow Radio 2 DJ, Rylan, who also shared his thoughts on the changes in the presenting lineup.
On X/Twitter, Rylan, who took over Ball's Saturday afternoon slot when she transitioned to the breakfast show, expressed: "Zoe, we appreciate you so much! Thank you for making Saturday afternoons special for me and for being the perfect start to my mornings for the last six years."
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"Scott, I couldn’t be happier for you! If you scraped your knee, it would be like bleeding excitement. I understand how important this is to you, and I'm incredibly proud of your achievement. It’s a bit disappointing that our late nights will be fewer… but actually, I think we will still have plenty. Love you both!"
Ball shared her feelings about leaving, saying, “I’ve made the choice to leave behind my early mornings and begin a new phase in my life. I’m looking forward to this new adventure, especially being a mom in the mornings, and I'm eager to join in on the school run!”
Speaking to her audience, she expressed, "We've gone through so much together—both the joyful moments and the challenging ones, filled with plenty of laughter. I'm really going to miss you all."
She mentioned that she would also feel a sense of loss for her coworkers, who she considers to be like "family."
