What did you miss?
Zoe Ball has thanked her Radio 2 colleagues for “holding me up quite literally when I’ve been at my lowest” in an emotional speech to close her final breakfast show.
The presenter, who is handing the show over to Scott Mills from January, also paid tribute to her Radio 2 co-stars and called Jo Wiley “my hero”.
Ball also thanked her listeners, saying presenting the morning show was “a special, intimate relationship. It’s never lost on me,” as stars including Kylie Minogue and David Tennant offered their well wishes.
What, how, and why?
It was an emotional morning for Zoe Ball and her listeners as she signed out from her last ever BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show before Scott Mills takes over in January.
Ball, who announced last month that she was quitting the show after six years, was in tears a number of times during the show and made a long, heartfelt thank you speech to colleagues and listeners, sharing that her friends at Radio 2 had supported her through her worst times.
Offering a thank you to all of the producers and staff she has worked with at the station, she said: “They are truly magnificent people. They’re super smart, hilarious, adventurous, they’re brave, they’re bold, they’ve taught me so much and they’ve held me up quite literally when I’ve been at my lowest. I love you all and I’m going to miss you mighty amounts. Shine on you crazy diamonds.”
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Ball opened her speech by saying: “I am obviously full of feels today. Lee on Instagram said it’s like a friend moving away – I feel that Lee but I promise I’m not moving far.”
Paying tribute to everyone who had supported her, she said: “Especially my kids Woody and Nell who fill we with wonder every day. Being your mum is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Ball went on to give shout outs to everyone from her co-stars at the station to the security staff and cleaners, but added: “A special shout out to my friend Jo (Wiley) her show is my favourite on air. She has been such a friend to me in so many ways. Jo, keep championing great music, you’re one beautiful lady, friend and mama, you are my hero.”
She continued of her time hosting Breakfast: “Pretty cool to be the first lass to host and I won’t be the last, remember girls, you can do anything.”
Talking to her listeners, she said: “It’s been a real privilege to keep you company through your morning manoeuvres. You’re just there and I’m just here having a chat with a mate. It’s such a special, intimate relationship. It’s never lost on me, that.
“Thank you for sharing with me your stories of love and loss, your baby news, your kids leaving home. Together listeners there’s been much laughter, a few tears, lots of silliness, some singing and there’re been dancing. May there always be dancing.”
Ball also welcomed in her replacement, saying: “Dear Scott will look after you in the new year. He’s one of the good’uns. You’re going to have a lot of fun with him. I’ll see you in the spring, popping up on air at Radio 2 for new adventures.”
She finished with: “As the song says, you give a little love and it all comes back to you. Well I have most definitely felt that love from you. I feel very lucky to have been here. I send buckets of love out to you and your dear ones this Christmas. It’s been very special. Take care, love you, my top cats.”
Earlier in the show, Ball had been tearful as she said: “Everything’s going to go wrong because I can’t see the buttons through my giddy tears. We’ve had some tears already. We don’t quite know what to do with ourselves this morning, do we? I’ve come in and I suddenly can’t remember how to press the button.
“We’re all pretending we’re going to be OK, that the emotion isn’t getting to us – but it’s definitely getting to us. So hold tight!”
She also told her news team: “We’ve been together through the uppy ups and the downy downs of life. Five prime ministers and a pandemic. We’ve been through a lot.”
Who paid tribute to Zoe Ball on the Breakfast Show?
Kylie Minogue offered her congratulations as she said: “Hi Zoe, it’s Kylie. 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.
“You’ve been part of some of the biggest and best memories I’ve had in the last six years. In 2019 you spoke to me before my legends slot at Glastonbury, you were there for the disco era in 2020 and you were the first person anywhere in the world to play Padam Padam and kick start the ‘Padamic’.
“We’ve danced around the studio, you, me and your fabulous prod squad, shout out to them… it has all happened with you Zoe. You’re the best, we’re all going to miss you but ‘bye bye morning alarm, you were great for six years but no more’. Zoe I wish you all the love success and joy and everything you want moving on… we love you”.
David Tennant added: “Hello Zoe – Dame Zoe Ball – David Tennant here in London. 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. Thank you for letting me come on to your show multiple times and annoy you.
“Who can forget when you forced me to do a dramatic reading of Man! I Feel Like A Woman! into the very eyes of Shania Twain herself. I certainly can’t forget it, indeed, neither can Shania. She loved it, she sent me a hat inspired by that moment. Come on, let’s have three big karaoke belters for the final 7.33 (song feature), come on, Zoe. Love you Zoe Ball, bye.”
England footballer Alessia Russo said: “Sorry to hear you’re leaving Radio 2, but (I) just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the support you’ve given the lionesses whilst you’ve been on the breakfast show, especially in 2022 when we won the Euros, and last year, when we made the World Cup final. Good luck for the future, and looking forward to seeing you at another game soon.”
Cher, Oti Mabuse and Basil Brush all offered messages of support too, as did Ball’s son Woody who said: “Thank you for making everyone’s mornings magic. Here’s to a healthier sleeping schedule.”
Zoe Ball’s final breakfast show is available to stream on BBC Sounds.