Zoe Ball has surprised Scott Mills on his first day at the helm of BBC Radio 2's breakfast show, saying she feels "tearful" with pride.
Ball, who hosted her final episode of the breakfast show last month, left a voice message to congratulate Mills on the new gig – and shared her emotions on passing the baton to him.
"Hello, you, it's me, Zoe. I think I'm more excited about your first show than you will be right now," she told Mills.
"I keep getting really tearful. I'm so proud of you, I just need you to know that," she continued, finally adding: "You are so born to do this."
Related: BBC Radio 2's Scott Mills recalls being almost sacked by bosses
During his first day on the job, Mills promised he would give it "absolutely everything".
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Addressing listeners, he said: "If I think too much about the previous occupiers of this show it becomes mind-blowing to me for a kid who wanted to be on the radio, but wasn't sure he had the self-confidence to be able to actually do it.
"The aim here is to make you smile, to bring up your mood, to make you shoulder and head dance in bed, or in the shower, or in the car, or in the kitchen, and to keep your spirits up on mornings when maybe you don't feel so great.
He also encouraged listeners "to reach out and be part of this show any time you want to, any time you feel like it".
Mills added: "If you could make me part of your morning routine, it would honestly mean so much because, believe me, I'm going to give it absolutely everything I've got.
"I really hope you enjoy it. Let's go."
Last November, Ball announced she would step down from the Radio 2 breakfast show after six years.
Related: BBC Radio 1 confirms Mollie King's replacement
During her last morning broadcast, Ball told her listeners that "it's been a real privilege" to keep them company every morning over the past few years, adding: "You're just there and I'm just here having a chat with a mate."
"It's such a special intimate relationship. It's never lost on me," she said.
However, if you're missing Ball on Radio 2, she's set to return to the station later this year with a brand new programme – with more details expected to be announced soon.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
