Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 replacement Scott Mills reacts to announcement of new BBC job

Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 alternative has reacted to his new appointment as breakfast present host.

On Tuesday (19 November), it was revealed that Ball can be leaving her function after six “unbelievable” years – a place she joined after changing Chris Evans in 2018.

Mills, who stood in for Ball when she took a break to look after her mom, will develop into the ninth particular person to host the present, which has beforehand been led by Ken Bruce and Sir Terry Wogan, who died in 2016.

The DJ reacted to his hiring shortly after Ball’s announcement, stating: “Zoe and I’ve been such good associates now for over 25 years and have spent a lot of that point as a part of the identical radio household right here at Radio 2 and likewise on Radio 1.

“She’s carried out an unbelievable job on this present over the previous six years, and I’m past excited to be handed the baton.”

He stated that it feels “all roads have led to this wonderful alternative” ever since he recorded his ‘first reveals as a child for an viewers of 1 – my mum”, and referred to as it “a life-long dream come true to observe within the footsteps of Sir Terry, Chris and Zoe to be the brand new presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Present”.

Mills joined Radio 2 in 2022 after presenting on Radio 1 for twenty-four years.

When he left the station, he emotionally instructed his listeners: “I’ve been on Radio 1 for twenty-four years, that’s insane. Would I really like this to go on endlessly and be endlessly younger? Sure, ‘trigger I nonetheless really feel that however it could actually’t. However I truly assume that I’m not too unhappy as a result of I don’t assume it’s the tip, you realize.”

The DJ, who joined Radio 2 to interchange Steve Wright two years earlier than his loss of life, will start his tenure as breakfast present host on 20 December. Mills’s weekday afternoon slot might be hosted by Trevor Nelson from January 2025.

In the previous few years, Mills has fronted the BBC’s Eurovision protection alongside his good friend and fellow Radio 2 DJ Rylan, who additionally reacted to the presenting shake-up.

On X/Twitter, Rylan, who changed Ball’s Saturday afternoon present when she grew to become the breakfast host, wrote: “Zoe we love you hundreds thanks a lot for shaping Saturday afternoons for me and being one of the best get up for the previous six years.

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“Scott, I’ve by no means been extra joyful for somebody. Should you grazed your knee you’ll bleed radio. I understand how a lot this implies to you and I’m so so pleased with you. Simply gutted we received’t have many late nights now….. truly we’ll. Love you each.”

Ball stated of her departure: “I’ve determined it’s time to step away from the early alarm name and begin a brand new chapter. I’m excited to embrace my subsequent chapter, together with being a mum within the mornings, and I can’t wait to tune in on the varsity run!?

Addressing her listeners, she stated: “We’ve shared a hell of quite a bit, the great occasions, the robust occasions, there’s been a variety of laughter. And I’m going to overlook you cats.”

She added she would additionally miss her colleagues, who’re like “household” to her.