Scott Mills has revealed his emotional reaction when he was told he had landed his dream job as host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

The radio veteran, 51, is taking over the prestigious time slot on Monday, after Zoe Ball stepped down last year.  

Scott, whose previous weekday slot of 2pm to 4pm will be filled by Trevor Nelson, has recalled the moment he got the call about his new role, admitting: ‘I cried in my dressing gown. I fully sobbed.’

He added in the interview with The Mirror that the news was tinged with sadness as he reflected on his 35 years in radio.  

‘Once I’d kind of calmed down from the sobbing, I was kind of having a real reflective moment of like, “Well, I remember being a bit sad that I never got The Radio 1 Breakfast Show,” but then if I had at the time, would I be where I am now?

‘I’m getting a lot of messages from people going, “I am 55 and it’s just encouraging for me to see that someone like you is absolutely flying and doing the best they have ever done at your time of life”. And I mean, it is true. And I never thought this would happen.

Scott Mills has revealed his emotional reaction when he was told he had landed his dream job as host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show 

The radio veteran, 51, is taking over the prestigious time slot on Monday, after Zoe Ball stepped down last year

‘I’m enjoying my career peak at my age.’  

Zoe Ball hosted her final Breakfast Show last month and was left in tears as her son Woody sent in a sweet message.

The DJ, 54, has stepped down from the programme after six years at the helm to ‘focus on family’ and was flooded with messages of support on her last show. 

At one point, production staff surprised her by playing a message from Woody, 24, whom she shares with ex Norman Cook AKA Fatboy Slim.  

Ball started sobbing as Woody said: ‘Hey mum, you’ve done such an amazing job on the Breakfast Show and I just wanted to thank you for making everyone’s mornings a bit more magic. Here’s to a healthier sleeping schedule. Love Woody.’ 

Choking back tears as she introduced the next song, Ball said: ‘Oh my goodness, this is for everyone who’s listened and everyone in the room and my kids of course. Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) It’s Frank Wilson.’

As her three-hour show came to an end, Ball signed off to her listeners with a message of female empowerment.

The first ever female host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, shared: ‘Remember, girls, you can do anything.’ 

He added that the news was tinged with sadness as he reflected on 35 years in radio. ‘ I was having a reflective moment, “I remember being sad that I never got The R1 Breakfast Show’

Zoe Ball was left in tears as her son Woody sent in a sweet message to her final BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show last month. The DJ, 54, has stepped down from the programme after six years 

She began her final message by remarking it had been a ‘real privilege’ to host the show, as she praised the ‘special, intimate relationship’ she had with the listeners, saying it felt like ‘having a chat with a mate’. 

Ball shared: ‘It’s been such a gift to do this show, to follow wonderful Terry and, of course, Chris, tough acts to follow. Pretty cool to be the first lᴀss to host and I won’t be the last. Remember, girls, you can do anything. 

‘So to the biggest stars of our Breakfast Show, that’s you all of our listeners, young and old, and those in the middle, thank you for tuning in, whether as a lone listener, as a family, as a work gang on your morning jogs, dog walks, truck drives, training, commutes or hiding in bed, it’s been a real privilege to keep you company through your morning manoeuvres. 

‘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 that we’ve been through life’s little highs and little lows together. 

Chuckling, she reflected on years of ‘much laughter, silliness, few tears, lots of singing and dancing’, and said ‘dear Scott [Mills will look after you in the new year’. 

Quoting Paul Williams’ hit, she went on: ‘You give a little love and it all comes back to you. I’ve felt that love from you listeners. I send buckets of love to you. Take care of yourselves lovely peeps, my top cats.’