Zoe Ball breaks down in tears as she presents final Radio 2 Breakfast show
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Zoe Ball became emotional this morning as she started her final stint hosting the Radio 2 Breakfast show, marking the end of her six-year tenure in this sought-after role at the BBC.
On Friday's show, the 53-year-old confessed that she was so emotional she couldn't see the buttons in front of her. She also apologized ahead of time for any errors.
“I can’t see the buttons through my tears of joy, so everything is bound to go wrong,” she said.
At the conclusion of the show, Ball expressed her feelings and told her audience, "It's like you're right there with me, and I'm simply having a conversation with a friend. It's a truly unique and close connection."
She expressed, “Being part of the show has been an incredible opportunity, and it’s an honor to carry on the legacy of Terry [Wogan], Steve [Wright], and others. I’m proud to be the first [woman] to host the show...just remember, girls, you have the ability to achieve anything."
"I'll catch up with you all in the Spring on Radio 2, where I’ll drop in to share some exciting new experiences. This time has been truly meaningful, so take good care of yourselves. Love you all, my amazing friends!" she said, before playing her last track, Münchener Freiheit's 1988 hit "Keeping the Dream Alive."
As she unveiled the program, Ball mentioned that her entire team was present in the studio for her emotional goodbye.
"We've already shed a few tears. This morning feels a bit overwhelming, doesn't it? I walked in and suddenly forgot how to push the button," she remarked.
She went on to say, "We're all acting like we’re fine, like our feelings aren’t affecting us, but they really are. So hang in there!"
"I've already shed a few tears with Patrick! But we're set for an exciting day ahead. We'll be spinning some of my top tracks, including both holiday-themed songs and others, and we'll try to read as many listener messages as possible."
Ball shared that she received encouraging messages from various celebrities, such as Cher, Kylie Minogue, David Tennant, and Oti Mabuse from Strictly.
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Throughout the program, Ball re-established a bond with her longtime fans, including one woman who chose to name her daughter after Ball. This happened on the very day Ball made history as Radio 2’s first female breakfast show host, which also coincided with the woman's childbirth six years ago.
In a touching segment, some of the most prominent hosts from BBC Radio came together to share sincere messages during the broadcast. Dermot O’Leary and Scott Mills both offered their warm wishes to the presenter. Overwhelmed with emotion, Ball responded, "That's it, I can't take it anymore," as she began to cry.
This follows Ball's announcement last month that she would be leaving the show after six amazing years.
In sharing her choice with her audience, she expressed: “I’ve made the decision to move on from waking up early and to begin a new phase in my life. I’m really looking forward to what’s next, especially spending mornings as a mom, and I can't wait to enjoy the school drop-off!”
Speaking to her audience, she expressed, "We've gone through so much together, from the joyful moments to the challenging ones, and there has been plenty of laughter along the way. I’m really going to miss all of you."
She mentioned that she would really miss her coworkers, as they feel like a "family" to her.
Not long after the news broke that Ball would be departing, the BBC announced that Scott Mills would fill Ball's weekday morning time slot. Mills, who currently hosts the afternoon show from 2 PM to 4 PM, will transition to the morning program.
Mills expressed his enthusiasm about the news, mentioning that he and Ball have been friends for 25 years. He said he was "thrilled to take on this new role."
He shared, “From the time I recorded my first shows for my mom when I was a kid, it seems like everything has brought me to this incredible moment. It's truly a dream come true to step into the role of The Radio 2 Breakfast Show presenter, following in the footsteps of legends like Sir Terry, Chris, and Zoe.”
Ball mentioned that Mills has been a “good friend” for many years, and she was “extremely excited” that he is the one stepping in to take charge.
Ball started presenting the breakfast show in 2019, after taking over from Chris Evans, who had been the host for nearly ten years.
She became the first woman to host a breakfast show on Radio 2, making a significant mark in the station's history. Additionally, she made her mark by being the first female host of BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast show, which she led for two years starting in 1998.
Her exit follows a break that Ball took in April from her morning show to look after her mother, Julie Peckham, who had recently been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. Sadly, Peckham passed away at the age of 74 in April, prompting Gaby Roslin and Mills to step in and cover Ball’s slot during that time.
Ball made a short comeback to the show on August 8, staying for four days before Mills resumed the role. Ball then returned once more on September 23.
