Zoe Ball's emotional struggles behind BBC show exit as she announces 'amazing' new role
Zoe Ball has opened up about her next chapter after stepping away from her BBC Radio 2 commitments. In November 2024, the broadcaster left her role as host of the station's Breakfast Show after nearly six years at the helm.
At the time, she was reportedly the BBC's second-highest paid presenter, earning £950,000, making the decision undoubtedly a difficult one.
Looking back on what she called an "interesting" year, Zoe discussed how leaving the show gave her more personal time and helped her process her grief.
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The broadcaster's mother, Julia, died from cancer in April 2024, which led to a lengthy break from her programme.
On the most recent episode of her and Jo Whiley's Dig It podcast, the 55-year-old revealed she was also facing additional personal struggles away from her chirpy radio persona.
"I miss it and I miss the audience, I will fully admit to that, it was one of the best jobs I ever had," she admitted.
"But I think after losing mum, so much had happened and not just losing mum, there was other stuff that had gone on before that.
"And this year has finally given me some time for myself to deal with lots of grief from my life, and that's mum and other things that I'd perhaps not given the time to grieve to.
"And it's been quite an incredible eye-opening experience for me to just be like, 'Oh my gosh, you never dealt with this and you didn't really deal with that, because you just keep on running'.
"So, this year has finally given me time for myself and I am so appreciative of that, because I know that's not possible for everybody, some people just have to keep going and keep working."
Zoe continued by expressing her delight at the precious moments she's managed to create with her two children since departing the programme, from witnessing her son Woody DJ at Glastonbury to whisking him and her daughter off to Ibiza.
Speaking to Jo about what lies ahead, the broadcaster also disclosed how stepping away from the show had allowed her to embark on "three amazing" television projects.
"I'm really excited about [them]," she revealed, before noting: "It's been a very reflective year. It's been a year where it's been good for my heart, my soul and it's been very quiet.
"Life has been quite quiet and I have really needed that. And I think next year, it's going to ramp right up again."
Following her departure from her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, where Scott Mills took over, Zoe made her return to the station presenting an afternoon Saturday slot in May 2025.
After just seven months however, she announced she would be handing over to Emma Willis, while remaining committed to presenting special programmes on the station.