Zoe Ball was praised by her son Woody in a sweet post on Thursday as he shared cute family snaps to celebrate her six years hosting the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. 

The presenter, 53, announced this week that she was stepping down from her £950,000-a-year role to ‘focus on family’. 

Praising her time on the airwaves, Woody, 23, shared a sweet snap alongside his sister Nelly, 14, mum Zoe and dad Fatboy Slim, 61, and wrote: ‘Well done Mama on a fabulous stint on Radio 2!

‘Heres to more time at home! Excuse the whole family pick can’t find enough crackers with @zoetheball. YOU ARE AMAZING. 4AM is a crazy time to get up!’ 

Zoe was quick to comment, writing: ‘love you Bear. beyond xxx’. 

The Top Of The Pops star shares her children with ex Fatboy Slim, real name Norman Cook, who she separated from in 2016. 

Zoe Ball was praised by son Woody as he shared a sweet family snap with rarely-seen sister Nelly and Fatboy Slim after Zoe quit her £950k Radio 2 Breakfast Show to ‘focus on family’

Zoe revealed on air she will depart the show on December 20 after six years to ‘focus on family’, but remain on the station. 

Scott Mills, who currently hosts Radio 2’s weekday afternoon programme from 2 – 4pm, will takeover Zoe’s breakfast slot in January. 

Zoe had taken a mysterious six week absence hosting over the summer – with Scott stepping in as her replacement – before she returned in September.

Speaking about her departure on her show, Zoe said: ”After six years of fun times alongside you all on the breakfast show, I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter.’

The veteran presenter said she was ‘thrilled’ to reveal her good friend Mill, as her replacement, telling listeners: ‘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!’.

Reaction to the announcement on social media has been mixed, with one listener branding him ‘such a terrible replacement’ while another called this morning’s announcement ‘horrific news’.

Others vowed to switch off as a result, with one saying it was ‘time to find another station’.

Yet some have been more favourable, with responses including ‘fantastic news’ and offering ‘huge congratulations’ while describing him as ‘equally talented’ to Zoe.

Woody also shared another snap having dinner with his sister and mother as he praised her ‘fabulous’ time on the radio show 

Woody wrote: ‘Heres to more time at home! Excuse the whole family pick can’t find enough crackers with @zoetheball. YOU ARE AMAZING. 4AM is a crazy time to get up!’

Scott joined his friend on her show on Tuesday and said he was ‘beyond excited’ to become host. 

He said: ‘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.’

Read More Zoe Ball looks cheery as she is seen for the first time after quitting Radio 2 Breakfast Show

Zoe was the BBC’s highest-paid on-air female presenter in 2023/24 with a salary between £950,000 and £954,999, ranking her second on the list of top-earning talent behind Gary Lineker, according to the corporation’s annual report published in July.

Gary revealed he had been axed from Match of the Day earlier this month, in the latest of a string of high profile BBC exits.

Zoe was the first female host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 1998, a post she held until 2000, and she also co-hosted the BBC’s Saturday morning children’s magazine Live & Kicking alongside Jamie Theakston for three years from 1996.

Zoe told listeners on Tuesday: ‘You know I think the world of you all, listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you, to go through life’s little ups and downs, we got through the lockdown together, didn’t we?

‘We’ve shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there’s been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats.’

She added: ‘But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest.’ 

The presenter, 53, revealed on air on Tuesday that she will depart the show on December 20 after six years to ‘focus on family’, but remain on the station

Scott Mills, who currently hosts Radio 2’s weekday afternoon programme from 2 – 4pm, will takeover Zoe’s breakfast slot in January

In an official statement, she said: ‘After six incredible years on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it’s time for me to step away from the very early mornings and focus on family. It’s been a privilege. 

‘I think the world of you listeners and I’m grateful to my bosses here for their support, especially this year.’

Zoe said her last show will be on December 20, adding: ‘Just in time for Christmas with plenty of fun and shenanigans. 

‘While I’m stepping away from the Breakfast Show, I’m not disappearing entirely – I’ll still be a part of the Radio 2 family, with more news in the New Year.

‘I’m excited to embrace my next chapter, including being a mum in the mornings, and I can’t wait to tune in on the school run!’

The presenter’s decision to step away from the show comes after she sparked concern with a mysterious six-week absence from the airwaves. 

In September, she returned to air with business as usual and  offered her fans a lively welcome back and asked listeners ‘what have I missed?’