Zoe Ball's statement in full as she quits BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show after tragic year

shocked listeners this morning after the Breakfast Show. The presenter, 53, shared that she had just a few weeks left before her hosting duties would be over.

In a statement, Zoe explained why she was leaving the show after joining back in January 2019. She also hinted at what we could expect from her next and divulged that listeners wouldn’t have to wait long until being told her replacement – with .

“Ok you lovely bunch, I have some news. After six years of fun times alongside you all on the Breakfast Show, I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter,” she said on the show this morning in the shock announcement.

“You know I think the 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? 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.”

The former contestant and It Takes Two host then made sure to call out her colleagues and make it clear how much she’d loved working with the special team.

“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,” she joked.

Zoe then announced that in just a month and a day she’d be hosting her final Breakfast Show. Despite the fast turnaround, she shared that she’d be sticking with Radio 2, and would have more news to share about her next career move next year.

“So my last Breakfast Show will be with you on the 20th of December and then it’s high kicks all the way to , gang. I'm not going to be a stranger, I'm staying in the Radio 2 crew and family because it's an amazing family – as we saw last week with Paddy’s fantastic Children in Need challenge – and I’ll have more news on that 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! I just want to say I’m so grateful to my incredible boss ladies, to Helen and Laura and Lorna and Fiona, they have always been so supportive of me especially in this job and particularly this year, so thank you ladies.”

Finally, Zoe mentioned that her replacement was already lined up. Just minutes after her own big announcement, it was soon revealed that fellow Radio 2 star Scott Mills would be taking over.

“Now of course it leaves us with a big question, who is going to wake you up in the mornings? Well the good news is you don't have to wait very long to find out. I am going to reveal the brand new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on this show this morning . But for now, know I love you all to bits and this song from Supertramp seemed like a good one to play.”

So while Zoe – who shares two children with her , real name – will be taking a break to spend time with her family, Eurovision expert Scott Mills will soon be stepping into the major radio role.

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