Zoe Ball’s final BBC Radio 2 show was a spectacle of laughter and tears, as the presenter was flooded with messages of support, including a surprise message from her son.
Saying that she hoped she “managed to bring some sunshine and light” to listeners when they most needed it, the radio presenter thanked all her listeners, saying: “It’s been a real privilege to keep your 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 we’ve been through life’s little highs and little lows together,” added Ball, who has stepped down from the programme after six years at the helm to “focus on family”.
“I really do hope that we’ve managed to bring some sunshine and light when you’ve most needed a daft distraction from the hardest stuff. I’ve been bowled over by your messages, texts, emails, cards and letters across the years.”
Woody, Ball’s 24-year-old son with her former husband, Norman Cook AKA Fatboy Slim, sent a message saying: “Hey Mum, you’ve done such an amazing job on the breakfast show and I just wanted to thank you for making everyone’s mornings a bit more magic. Here’s to a healthier sleeping schedule. Love Woody.’
Choking back tears as she introduced the next song, Ball said: “Oh my goodness, this is for everyone who’s listened and everyone in the room and my kids of course. Do I Love You (Indeed I Do), it’s Frank Wilson.”
She added she “wants to send love”, especially to her family, and children, Woody and Nell, who “fill me with wonder every day, being your mum is the best thing that ever happened to me”.
Ball, the first female host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, signed off with a message of female empowerment. She said: “Remember, girls, you can do anything.”
Ball said emotions were running high behind the scenes too: “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,” she said.
She also paid tribute to the Radio 2 star Steve Wright, who died in February, saying: “We miss you darling man, but your magic is with us always, thank you so much for being an amazing broadcaster and a friend to all of our listeners.”
Ball began presenting The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show in January 2019, taking over from Chris Evans. She will return to present two episodes of Zoe Ball’s Christmas Crooners, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
From January, Scott Mills will take over the breakfast show. His previous weekday slot will be filled by Trevor Nelson.
Last month, Ball said on Instagram that she wakes up most days with “awful headaches” because of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The condition affects the movement of the jaw and causes pain in the joint and surrounding muscles, according to the NHS.
