BBC Radio 2 listeners threaten to 'switch off forever' as Scott Mills replaces Zoe Ball
Zoe Ball has announced she will be leaving the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, with Scott Mills taking over from January.
What did you miss?
BBC Radio 2 listeners are divided over the news that Scott Mills will replace Zoe Ball on the Breakfast Show, with some saying they will be "switching off forever".
Radio and TV presenter Ball, who has headed up the Breakfast Show for six years, announced on air on Tuesday morning that she would be moving on from her role with her last show due to air on 20 December.
The news was swiftly followed by the announcement that her station mate Mills would switch from mid-afternoons to early mornings, but it was badly received by some who called the replacement a "terrible decision".
What, how, and why?
Zoe Ball has announced she is stepping down from hosting BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show after six years, but her replacement Scott Mills has not been welcomed with open arms by all of her listeners.
On Tuesday morning, the BBC shared the news that Ball would be quitting early mornings, teasing that she would announce her replacement live on air.
As listeners anticipated the news, one wrote on X: "Zoe Ball stepping down! Can we have Gary Davies please?" while some others shared their disappointment at the choice for her successor.
Read more:
Zoe Ball quits BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show (BANG Showbiz, 3 min read)
Zoe Ball quits BBC Radio 2 show after six years to 'focus on family' (Manchester Evening News, 3 min read)
BBC reveals Scott Mills' replacement on Radio 2 afternoon show - see who it is (Bolton News, 2 min read)
One person commented: "Sorry to hear you’re leaving at #zoeball it’s been a tough year for you, onwards and upwards. If the replacement is Scott Mills I’ll be off to!"
After Mills was announced, someone else added: "Scott Mills taking over from Zoe Ball, they’ve finally killed Radio 2!"
A listener wrote: "That's me switching off The Breakfast Show forever! What is it with Scott Mills? Dread to think who's taking over the Afternoon Show. It couldn't get any worse though..."
Someone else agreed: "Noooooo! Not Scott Mills on the Breakfast Show @BBCRadio2 terrible, terrible decision as replacement for #ZoeBall. Time to tune in somewhere else while I wait for Vernon to come on. It was bad enough when you gave Scott the afternoon slot, he's not relatable to your demographic."
Another person wrote: "Thank God I don’t usually wake up until after 9.00am. Scott Mills in the morning would be a waking nightmare."
However, others were keen to see Mills take over as one listener commented: "I saw this coming!!!!! Now hopefully @scott_mills will get the slot as he was brilliant covering for Zoe over the summer. He really made the show his own and was so natural. Give Spoony the afternoon slot as he's also brilliant."
Another fan agreed: "Brilliant news to hear that @scott_mills will be taking over the @BBCRadio2 breakfast show when Zoe Ball moves on to the next chapter of her life."
Ball's fans wished her well as one commented: "Sad news this morning that @ZoeTheBall is leaving @BBCRadio2 breakfast. For my generation she has always been our mornings from the L&K days."
Another wrote: "Oh blimey I’ve only been back tuned in to @BBCRadio2 @ZoeTheBall for a couple of weeks (as gloom on @BBCr4today was too much every day) and she’s off. Thanks #ZoeBall & good luck in new chapter & enjoy those later starts to the day."
What did Zoe Ball and Scott Mills say about the Breakfast Show news?
Ball has spent six years hosting the early morning Radio 2 show, taking an extended break earlier this year after the death of her mother.
On Tuesday, she shared her news with listeners, saying: "I’ve decided it’s 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…"
Announcing that Radio 2 presenter and Celebrity Race Across The World winner Mills would replace her from January, she said: "He's a dear friend of mine, I can tell you we first met back in the 90s he was a total baby face, I was a bit older than him. We did the Strictly Come Dancing tour together. I got to see him marry the love of his life. He's had quite the year."
She added: "Scott and I go way back to our Radio 1 days, when he was doing early mornings before me. He’s been a close friend for years, and I’m beyond thrilled it’s him taking over the Breakfast Show.
"Breakfast has always been his dream, and what a year he’s had – from racing around the world to his beautiful wedding to Sam. He’s not only a blooming brilliant producer but one of the best in radio. I can’t wait to tune in on the school run!"
Mills, who joined Ball on air for the news, added in a statement: "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.
"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."
Zoe Ball's breakfast show airs on BBC Radio 2 at 6.30am on weekdays.
