BREAKING NEWSZoe Balls BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show replacement announced: Scott Mills to take over from veteran presenter as she steps down to focus on family

Scott Mills will be the new presenter of the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show after Zoe Ball announced she is stepping down next month following six years in the hotseat.

The 51-year-old former Radio 1 DJ will be fronting the show from January, replacing Ball who has been presenting it since she took over from Chris Evans in 2019.

Mills said today that he was beyond excited to be handed the baton from Ball and described them as having been such good friends now for over 25 years.

In a statement, Mills said: 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. Shes done an incredible job on this show over the past six years, and I am beyond excited to be handed the baton.

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.

Scott Mills

And Ball said: Scott and I go way back to our Radio 1 days, when he was doing early mornings before me. Hes been a close friend for years, and Im beyond thrilled its him taking over the Breakfast Show.

Breakfast has always been his dream, and what a year hes had - from racing around the world to his beautiful wedding to Sam. Hes not only a blooming brilliant producer but one of the best in radio. I cant wait to tune in on the school run!.

Ball was the first female host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 1998, a post she held until 2000.

Announcing the news of her departure on air this morning, Ball said: Okay, you lovely bunch, I have some news. After six years of fun times alongside you all on the breakfast show, Ive decided its time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter.

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 lifes little ups and downs.

Ball previously co-hosted the BBCs Saturday morning childrens magazine Live & Kicking alongside Jamie Theakston for three years from 1996.

In a statement, she said: After six incredible years on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, its time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family. Its been a privilege. I think the world of you listeners and Im grateful to my bosses here for their support, especially this year.

Ball said her last show will be on December 20, adding: Just in time for Christmas with plenty of fun and shenanigans. While Im stepping away from the Breakfast Show, Im not disappearing entirely - Ill still be a part of the Radio 2 family, with more news in the New Year.

Im excited to embrace my next chapter, including being a mum in the mornings, and I cant wait to tune in on the school run!

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said: Its a privilege to welcome Scott to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. Hes a multi-award winning broadcaster who has been working in radio since the age of 16 and I know he cant wait to get started on the biggest Breakfast show in the land!

Earlier this year he won the Gold award for Best Music Entertainment Show for his afternoon programme on Radio 2 at the industrys most prestigious awards ceremony, the ARIAs (Audio & Radio Industry Awards), and Im delighted he will now be waking up millions of listeners each weekday at Breakfast.

In an earlier statement, Ms Thomas said: Zoe has woken up the nation on Radio 2 with incredible warmth, wit and so much joy since January 2019, and Id like to thank her for approaching each show with as much vim and vigour as if it were her first. Im thrilled that shell remain an important part of the Radio 2 family.

Ball has presented the BBC spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, and ITVs reality competition show Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.

Radio 2 also announced today that Trevor Nelson, who currently presents Rhythm Nation each Monday to Thursday from 10pm to midnight, will be the presenter of the 2-4pm weekday afternoon show from January.

And DJ Spoony will extend his weekly edition of The Good Grove – currently on Friday nights from 9pm to 11pm - to four weekly shows on Monday to Thursday nights from 10pm to midnight.

Meanwhile, Sophie Ellis-Bextors Kitchen Disco, a BBC Sounds commission for Radio 2, will be extended from one to two hours and now run on Friday nights from 9pm to 11pm.

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