ZOE Ball broke down in tears as she presented her final ever Radio Two Breakfast Show.
The 54-year-old said goodbye to her beloved listeners after six years in the job.
Surrounded by her team in the studio at the start of the show, Zoe said this morning: “Everything’s going to go wrong because I can’t see the buttons through my giddy tears.
“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.
“We’re all pretending we’re going to be OK, that the emotion isn’t getting to us – but it’s definitely getting to us. So hold tight!”
Stars including Cher, Kylie Minogue, David Tennant and Strictly’s Oti Mabuse were among those who sent their well-wishes to the presenter on her last day.
She also revealed she’ll be back working on BBC Radio Two in the spring.
In an emotional final farewell to listeners, the DJ paid tribute to her “hero” – fellow station star Jo Whiley – and her team on the show, saying they “held me up, quite literally, when I was at my lowest”.
She began her five-minute on air monologue by saying: “I am obviously full of feels today and I have so many people I want to thank.
“A special shoutout to my friend Jo. Her show is my favourite on air. She has been such a friend to me in so many ways.
“Jo, keep championing great music. You are one beautiful lady, friend and mama. You are my hero.”
The mum-of-two gave a special shoutout to her kids, telling them: “Being your mum is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Zoe added: “Now, through the glass, to my other kids. The prod squad, frog squad, fraud squad, as they’ve been called.
“They are an extraordinary group of young talent. My four producers over the years, Graham, Ricky, Jordan and Patrick.”
She went onto list all the people she’s worked with across
“They are super smart, adventurous, hilarious, brave, bold and have taught me so much.
“They’ve held me up, quite literally, when I’ve been at my lowest.
“I love you all and I’m going to miss you mighty amounts. Shine on you crazy diamonds.”
“Together, listeners, there’s been much laughter, some silliness, a few tears, lots of singing and there’s been dancing. May there always be dancing.”
After revealing her departure last month, Zoe told listeners her replacement host will be former Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills.
She threw her support behind Scott, hailing him as a “close friend for years” and saying she’s “beyond thrilled” he’s taking over her spot as it’s “always been his dream”.
Zoe continued: “Dear Scott will look after you in the New Year. He’s one of the good’uns.
“You’re going to have a lot of fun together.
“I’ll see you in the spring, popping up here on Radio Two for new adventures.
“As the song says, you give a little love and it all comes back to you.
“I have most definitely felt that love from you my listeners. I feel very lucky to have been here.
“I send buckets of love out to you and your dear ones this Christmas.
“It’s been very special. Take care of yourself, lovely peeps, my top cats.”
Zoe then played her final song on the radio, Keeping the Dream Alive by Münchener Freiheit.
She quit the top BBC job last month to “focus on family” following the death of her mum.
Her parent Julia passed away from pancreatic cancer in April just 12 weeks after being diagnosed.
In August, Zoe took an unexplained absence from her job leaving fans worried.
Although no official reason was given for her absence, it followed a tough few months for the star who then made the decision to leave for good in November.
ITV and Netflix are said to be eyeing Zoe up for future work projects, but her future plans in broadcasting are not yet known.
Zoe has two kids, Woody and Nelly, with her ex-husband Norman Cook – AKA DJ Fatboy Slim.
The pair split in 2016 after 18 years of marriage.
She later found love with cameraman Billy Yates before his tragic deah.
Billy passed away in May 2017 after taking his own life.
Zoe was born in Blackpool and is daughter of the children’s TV presenter Johnny Ball and his wife Julia.
She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children’s show, Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest.
The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays.
After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top of the Pops, when she alternated with the likes of Jayne Middlemiss and Jo Whiley.
In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One‘s saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4.
But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997.
Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post.
The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, where she was succeeded by Sara Cox.
As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both Soapstar Superstar and Grease Is The Word in 2007.
In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as Radio X), when she was the voice of the weekday drivetime show until December 2003. In 2004, she stood in for Ricky Gervais while he filmed the second series of The Office.
In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Ian Waite, The star impressed viewers with her footwork and the duo waltzed into third place.
In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, It Takes Two.
She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries.
After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe announced she was quitting her role on BBC Two in May 2021.
Zoe’s journey in BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries. Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O’Leary, Ken Bruce and Chris Evans.
After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot’s Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm.
In October 2018, Chris Evans moved to Virgin Radio and he personally announced that Zoe would take over his popular slot. She started presenting the breakfast show on 14 January 2019.
