BBC Radio 2's Scott Mills shares insight into Zoe Ball's 'tough year' as she steps down

Scott Mills has shared his thoughts on Zoe Ball's challenging year as he steps into her shoes as the new host of the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.

The announcement came as a surprise this morning, November 19, with Zoe revealing her decision to step down after a six-year tenure in December.

Zoe, aged 53, who succeeded Chris Evans in 2019, expressed her desire to leave the show to spend more time with her family and then introduced Scott as her successor.

On air with Zoe, a "beyond excited" Scott reminisced about his early days at the BBC and his longstanding friendship with her.

Scott, who celebrated his marriage to Sam Vaughan in Barcelona this June, was overjoyed that Zoe could attend, describing the event as "incredible", reports the Express.

He recounted: "Fast forward to this year, and I just want to say it meant so much to me that you came to my wedding because I wasn't sure if you were going to make it.

"I know you've had such a tough year but on the big day, actually the day before on the Friday, you text me like 'I'm on the plane' and I shouted to Sam like 'Zoe's on the plane' and I was so glad you could come."

Zoe reflected on how much she "really needed that weekend" following her difficult year and insisted she wouldn't have missed Scott's wedding "for the world".

Praising the couple's chemistry, which viewers adored on 'Race Across The World', she expressed her fondness: "To see you and Sam and to see how in love you are, which we all got to see on Race Across The World and I love you both to pieces. You're going to be amazing at this job."

While announcing her exit on her Tuesday morning show, Zoe shared her future plans, saying, "I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter."

Sharing a heartfelt message to her listeners, Zoe remarked, "You know I think the world 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."

In confirming his acceptance of the role, Scott reflected on their longstanding friendship: "Zoe and I have been such good friends now for over 25 years and have spent much of that time as part of the same radio family here at Radio 2 and also on Radio 1. She's done an incredible job on this show over the past six years, and I am beyond excited to be handed the baton."

He shared his excitement and personal journey leading up to this moment: "It feels ever since recording my first shows as a kid for an audience of one, my mum, all roads since have led to this amazing opportunity. It really is a lifelong dream come true to follow in the footsteps of Sir Terry, Chris and Zoe to be the new presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show."