Zoe Ball shed light on her “amazing” next projects after quitting two of her BBC Radio 2 shows in the space of a year

Zoe Ball has opened up about her next career move and shared why she decided to quit her BBC Radio 2 show commitments. In November 2024, the presenter stepped away as host of the station’s Breakfast Show after almost six years in the role.

Reportedly the second-highest paid BBC presenter at the time, with a salary of £950,000, the decision was likely far from easy.

Reflecting on what she described as an “interesting” year, Zoe shared how quitting the show created more time for herself and helped her navigate grief.

The presenter lost her mother, Julia, to cancer in April 2024, which sparked an extended absence from her show.

Zoe Ball opened up about the personal challenges she faced behind the scenes (Image: GETTY)

Speaking on the latest edition of her and Jo Whiley’s Dig It podcast, the 55-year-old said she was also dealing with other personal challenges behind the scenes.

“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 shared.

“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 [for].

Zoe Ball quit her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show in 2024 (Image: GETTY)

“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 went on to gush about the core memories she’s been able to make with her two children since leaving the show, from watching her son Woody DJ at Glastonbury to taking them both to Ibiza.

Discussing her next move with Jo, the presenter also revealed how quitting the show had enabled her to take on “three amazing” TV projects, set to air later this year.

Zoe Ball opened up about the personal challenges she faced behind the scenes (Image: DIGITPODCAST)

“I’m really excited about [them],” she shared, before adding: “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.”

After quitting her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show and being replaced by Scott Mills, Zoe returned to the station to front an afternoon Saturday programme in May 2025.

However, after just seven months, she revealed she will be passing the baton to Emma Willis, though will continue to host special programmes on the station.