Inside Zoe Ball's heartbreaking life as she quits BBC Radio 2 breakfast show - from tragic loss to work hiatus

ok.co.uk:

Zoe Ball left her listeners in shock as she announced in November that she’s stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 morning show, with her final show being on Friday, 20 December.

After a tumultuous year, the 53 year old broadcaster has had her share of absences from the show, including time off following the loss of her mother, Julia Peckham, back in April.

Explaining her decision to listeners, Zoe shared that it was time for her to say goodbye to the early morning starts and embrace a fresh chapter.

What lies ahead for the much-loved mum-of-two is still up in the air, but signs could point to a more low-key presence in the public eye following a highly emotional period.The broadcaster's fans were deeply moved earlier in the year when Zoe bravely opened up about her mum Julia’s battle with pancreatic cancer in March and subsequent transfer to hospice care.