BBC Radio 1

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

Back in December, former Radio 1 broadcaster Scott Mills, 51, was revealed as Zoe Ball’s replacement as she took a break from the plum presenting spot.

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At the time Zoe, 54 – who had been absent from a handful of shows due to issues off air – told how December 20 would be her last early-morning programme after six years as she chose to “focus on family.”

Listeners were quick to spot three clues she 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’s last BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show was 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.

Zoe Ball’s career so far

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.

“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.”

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PREGNANT Vick Hope showed off her growing baby bump after she revealed she’s expecting her first child.

The Radio 1 presenter and husband Calvin Harris, who tied the knot on their Ibiza farm in 2023, will become parents later this year.

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Vick, 35, shared a photo of her in an orange bikini and an oversized white shirt, with her bump peaking through.

The radio presenter and international DJ Calvin enjoyed a baby shower with her friends and family in Ibiza a few weeks ago.

Vick was also seen staring adoringly at her growing stomach while wearing a flowy turquoise green summer dress.

In another snap, the Strictly star opted for a patterned bikini top and a pair of blue shorts as she hit some balls on the court.

She flashed a big smile and held two racquets in her hand, which slightly covered her bump.

Vick captioned the post: “Touching grass lately: Friends, family, farmyard animals.”

Many fans were quick to share gushing messages of congratulations.

One wrote: “Looking fabulous. This era suits you.”

A second posted: “Beautiful mama to be.”

Calvin and Vick have a stunning 138-acre organic farm in Ibiza, known as Terra Masia.

The Spanish estate produces fruit, vegetables, eggs, and wine, and represents Harris’s shift from jet-set lifestyle to a more rural affair.

A source told The Sun in 2022: “Calvin employs an expert team, including farmers and chefs, but he’s also hands-on, regularly getting involved in planting and other farm activities. He’s truly passionate about the project.”

They also have a 10-acre estate in the Cotswolds, which Calvin purchased for £3.6m in 2019.

Over the last few years a bespoke new mansion has been built on the Oxfordshire site which will become the family’s primary residence.

Architect Ben Pentreath, a favourite of the royals, designed the property which will be completed this year.

A source told the Mail: ” There’s no expense spared and it’s going to be amazing.”

Vick shared her happy baby news live on Radio 1 today, telling Jamie Laing: “I should probably also say this is my final week before I go on maternity leave.”

Jamie told her: “You’re an amazing friend, an amazing person, and you’re just going to be an amazing mum,.”

She replied: “Oh, thank you.”

Vick and Calvin’s love story was a longtime coming, with its origins going back to 2007, when Calvin was in his ‘Acceptable in the ‘80s’ era.

He had a crush on BBC star Vick, but when he worked up the courage to ask her out, she rejected him.

She told You Magazine: “It’s something that we laughed about on our first proper date… 

“We still laugh about it now.” 

Vick later confessed on Capital Radio: “I went off with either Scouting for Girls or The Wombats. I don’t know which. 

“I thought they were going to be bigger, but no, it turns out Calvin Harris was going to turn into an Adonis.”

Despite Calvin’s failed attempt at a date in the mid 2000s, he did eventually get the girl. 

The couple made their first official outing at The Chelsea Flower Show in May 2022. 

People couldn’t help but notice a sparkling diamond sitting on Vick’s ring finger – just five months after they got together.

They married in September 2023 at Hulne Priory, Alnwick, Northumberland. 

During the ceremony, the pair shared their personal vows and listened to poems. 

Nile Rodgers and Chic kicked off the reception with Luther Vandross’ 1981 hit Never Too Much, which was followed by songs by Madonna, Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams and David Bowie.

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VICK Hope has kept her pregnancy under wraps for months now – but dropped some major hints that left fans speculating.

The Radio 1 presenter and husband Calvin Harris, who tied the knot on their Ibiza farm in 2023, will become parents later this year.

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Vick shared the news live on Radio 1 today, telling Jamie Laing: “I should probably also say this is my final week before I go on maternity leave.”

Jamie told her: “You’re an amazing friend, an amazing person, and you’re just going to be an amazing mum,.”

She replied: “Oh, thank you.”

But many fans had already guessed that the DJ was pregnant months ago.

Here we take a look at some of the clues that Vick subtly dropped to hint at her pregnancy.

BABY SHOWER

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Vick appeared to celebrate her baby shower a couple of weeks ago as she shared a picture playing a baby shower game – during a meal with friends.

Vick and Calvin certainly have solid foundations to give a baby the best possible early life.

Calvin and Vick have a stunning 138-acre organic farm in Ibiza, known as Terra Masia.

The Spanish estate produces fruit, vegetables, eggs, and wine, and represents Harris’s shift from jet-set lifestyle to a more rural affair.

A source told The Sun in 2022: “Calvin employs an expert team, including farmers and chefs, but he’s also hands-on, regularly getting involved in planting and other farm activities. He’s truly passionate about the project.”

They also have a 10-acre estate in the Cotswolds, which Calvin purchased for £3.6m in 2019.

Over the last few years a bespoke new mansion has been built on the Oxfordshire site which will become the family’s primary residence.

Architect Ben Pentreath, a favourite of the royals, designed the property which will be completed this year.

A source told the Mail: ” There’s no expense spared and it’s going to be amazing.”

VICK’S BRITS LOOK

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The popular radio star looked incredible when she walked the BRITs red carpet in March wearing a plunging dress halterneck satin gown.

The stunning frock also featured cut out details along the stomach, which appeared to show a growing bump.

The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant was joined on the red carpet by her superstar DJ husband Calvin Harris.

The couple put their arms around each other and posed for pictures, with Vick beaming at the cameras.

UNDER WRAPS

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Over the past few months, Vick has been attending various events, including Radio 1’s Big Weekender Launch party in March.

She attended the star-studded event in London wearing an oversized plaid coat.

Underneath she opted for a brown mini dress but her winter jacket was pulled tightly together to conceal her stomach.

Earlier this month, Vick shared a post of her recent work highlights.

One snap showed her smiling with Radio 1 co-star Jamie Laing while wearing a baggy grey jumper.

She also posed for a team photo with her new Countryfile family.

Vick wrapped up in a big black puffer coat, cream jumper and grey beanie hat.

In other recent snaps, the radio star is seen sitting behind a desk or wearing oversized baggy t-shirts.

And just a few weeks ago, Vick hosted with Greg James at the London Marathon as they cheered on their co-presenter Jamie.

Vick was seen wearing an oversized white teddy bear coat which kept her bump under cover.

UNOFFICIAL ANNOUCEMENT

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Just two weeks ago, Vick shared a photo of her blossoming bump.

Although the star had not officially announced her pregnancy, Vick was inundated with messages of congratulations from celeb pals.

Lisa Snowden wrote: “Congratulations darling. So happy for you both.”

Kate Thornton posted: “Congratulations on your beautiful news.”

Ashley James shared her excitement, commenting: “Omg Vick,” with a string of red heart emojis.

Vick was also seen cradling her bump during an interview with Florence Pugh two weeks ago.

Vick and Calvin’s love story was a longtime coming, with its origins going back to 2007, when Calvin was in his ‘Acceptable in the ‘80s’ era.

He had a crush on BBC star Vick, but when he worked up the courage to ask her out, she rejected him.

She told You Magazine: “It’s something that we laughed about on our first proper date… 

“We still laugh about it now.” 

Vick later confessed on Capital Radio: “I went off with either Scouting for Girls or The Wombats. I don’t know which. 

“I thought they were going to be bigger, but no, it turns out Calvin Harris was going to turn into an Adonis.”

Despite Calvin’s failed attempt at a date in the mid 2000s, he did eventually get the girl. 

The couple made their first official outing at The Chelsea Flower Show in May 2022. 

People couldn’t help but notice a sparkling diamond sitting on Vick’s ring finger – just five months after they got together.

They married in September 2023 at Hulne Priory, Alnwick, Northumberland. 

During the ceremony, the pair shared their personal vows and listened to poems. 

Nile Rodgers and Chic kicked off the reception with Luther Vandross’ 1981 hit Never Too Much, which was followed by songs by Madonna, Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams and David Bowie.