Emotional Zoe Ball goes to see her children after crying during final Radio 2 breakfast show
Zoe Ball was all smiles as she exited the BBC’s London HQ, feeling "great" and ready to enjoy some quality time with her kids following her last ever BBC Radio 2 breakfast show. The beloved presenter, 54, was showered with love from celebs including pop icon Kylie Minogue, England football sensation Alessia Russo, and the Time Lord himself, David Tennant, as she broke down in tears and bid a fond farewell to her morning slot on Friday, 20 December.
Stepping out of Broadcasting House, Zoe, clad in a chic black puffer jacket and clutching a beautiful bouquet, shared warm embraces with the staff, penned autographs for eager fans braving the cold, and wished the press a cheery "Merry Christmas everyone." She also told the PA news agency: “I’m feeling great, I’m going to see my kids.”
As she signed off, Zoe expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her loyal listeners: "It’s been a real privilege to keep your company through your morning manoeuvres." Before spinning her final track, Keeping The Dream Alive, she reflected: "I have most definitely felt that love from you listeners. I feel very lucky to have been here."
READ MORE: Zoe Ball poses with rarely-seen daughter Nellie, 14, before quitting BBC Radio 2 breakfast show
READ MORE: Zoe Ball breaks down in tears as she presents final Radio 2 show
She mused about the unique bond with her audience: "You’re just there and I’m just here having a chat with a mate. It’s such a special intimate relationship." Zoe acknowledged the shared journey with her audience: "It’s never lost on me that we’ve been through life’s little highs and little lows together."
And she hoped her show had been a beacon of joy: "I really do hope that we’ve managed to bring some sunshine and light when you’ve most needed a daft distraction from the hardest stuff, I’ve been bowled over by your messages, texts, emails, cards and letters across the years. I send buckets of love out to you and your dear ones this Christmas, it’s been very special. Take care of yourselves, lovely peeps, my top cats."
Just before 9.30am, Zoe reassured a listener that she was "not moving far". She expressed her love for her family, especially her children, Woody and Nell, who "fill me with wonder every day, being your mum is the best thing that ever happened to me".
Zoe also gave a shout-out to "all the marvellous folk who work at Radio 2, our boss, Helen (Thomas), she has a tough job but she does it with great care. I have so much respect for her". She also thanked staff, including security guards, cleaners, presenters and the production team, saying "you’re all wonderful and you’ve made our show so fun".
She kicked off the programme in high spirits, quoting adapted lines from Les Miserables’ One Day More, telling listeners: "Another day, another destiny, one final show from me, ZB... only joking, I’m not going to sing, let’s have some Daft Punk."
She also paid tribute to Radio 2 star Steve Wright, who passed away in February, saying: "We miss you darling man, but your magic is with us always, thank you so much for being an amazing broadcaster and a friend to all of our listeners."
Actor David Tennant, who has presented Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day with Ball, told her: "You’ve been so amazing over the last six years. Oh my lord, the country’s going to miss you – the best person to have breakfast with."
Meanwhile Kylie Minogue shared her heartfelt thanks with Zoe Ball as she stepped down from The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, saying: "Thank you for an incredible six years. The nation loves you and I love you, and every time I’ve been in to see you, it’s been so much fun."
Zoe had been at the helm of the show since January 2019, making history as the first female presenter in that role. She revealed her departure this past November, expressing a desire to leave the early mornings behind and spend more time with her family. Fans can still catch Zoe on air during the festive period with two special episodes of Zoe Ball’s Christmas Crooners on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
From January onwards, Scott Mills will step into the breakfast show shoes, while Trevor Nelson will fill Scott's previous afternoon timeslot. Zoe, who has been battling temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, causing severe headaches, took a summer hiatus from the show, returning in September. As of 2023/24, she was the BBC’s highest-paid female presenter on-air, with earnings just shy of £955,000, second only to Gary Lineker in the top-earning talent list, as reported by the BBC in July.
