"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," she told listeners yesterday.
Ball later revealed that Mills, who hosts the mid-afternoon slot, would be her successor, with Friday 20 December earmarked as her last day on the show.
The move is part of a wider shuffle on Radio 2 - the BBC's most popular station, reaching about 13.3 million people a week - with Trevor Nelson taking up Mills's former slot, making him the first black presenter in Radio 2's daytime schedule.
Ball, 53, took over the Radio 2 morning programme in 2019 from Chris Evans. She was absent from the airwaves for nearly two months over the summer when Mills stepped in, returning in September amid speculation about her future with the station.
Announcing her departure on air, Ball said: "I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. You know I think the world of you all, listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you."
This story is from the November 20, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 20, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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