BBC disaster as Radio 2 loses half a million listeners after Zoe Ball quits and is replaced by Scott Mills

Published on July 31, 2025 at 12:56 PM

BBC Radio 2’s presenter switch-up has seen the channel lose half a million weekly listeners.

Back in December, former broadcaster , 51, was as she took a break from the plum presenting spot.

Zoe Ball and Scott Mills leaving Wogan House.
BBC Radio 2’s listening figures have plummeted since a presenter switch up
Scott Mills, new host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
Scott Mills took over the Breakfast Show slot, yet listeners have dropped as the year goes on
Zoe Ball, BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host, announcing her resignation.
Zoe Ball quit her Breakfast Show in December
Zoe Ball covering her mouth while presenting her last BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.
For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of Zoe Ball presenting her last show on BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, which she has hosted for six years, at BBC Broadcasting House in central London. Issue date: Friday December 20, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Ball. Photo credit [...]

At the time Zoe, 54 - who had been due to issues off air - told how December 20 would be heras she chose to “focus on family.”

Listeners were quick toshe was set to up sticks, including a family tragedy.

She has since returned to the BBC Radio 2 fold with The Zoe Ball Show, which airs every Saturday.

Yet between April and June 2025 the station has lost half a million listeners compared to figures from three months earlier.

Scott took over in January 2025.

Between January and March 2025, 13.11million listeners tuned into the station overall.

Yet during the most recent time period reviewed, this dropped to 12.62million.

Specifically for the Breakfast Show, figures marked 6.45million average weekly listeners from January to March.

Yet between April and June, this has dropped to 6.22million.

ALL CHANGE

Zoe’swas on Friday, December 20 - with “plenty of fun and shenanigans” ahead of Christmas.

Yet at the time, Zoe said she would remain on BBC Radio 2.

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.”

Telling her listeners about her decision, she said: “I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter.

“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 she would also miss her colleagues, saying they were “like family to me”.

The early morning presenter added: “But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest.

“You know I love you all to bits.”

Zoe Ball, BBC Radio 2 DJ, at her radio station console.
Zoe quit the early morning slot to ‘focus on family’
Zoe Ball leaving BBC Broadcasting House after her final Radio 2 breakfast show.
She is now back on the channel with a Saturday show
Scott Mills with a clock cake for his new BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
Between April and June, Scott’s Breakfast Show listening figures have dropped to 6.22million.

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