Zoe Ball has announced that she is stepping down as host of BBC Radio 2's breakfast show after six years in order to "focus on family".

The news comes after the 53-year-old took multiple extended breaks from the station this year following the sad loss of her mother Julia to cancer in April.

Ball said that she would not be "a stranger" and will continue to work with Radio 2, a station she joined in 2006, after her final breakfast show goes out on December 20.

"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. It's been a privilege," she said in a statement. "I think the world of you listeners and I'm grateful to my bosses here for their support, especially this year."

Ball added: "I'm excited to embrace my next chapter, including being a mum in the mornings, and I can't wait to tune in on the school run!"

Paying tribute, Radio 2 head Helen Thomas said: "Zoe has woken up the nation on Radio 2 with incredible warmth, wit and so much joy since January 2019, and I'd like to thank her for approaching each show with as much vim and vigour as if it were her first. I'm thrilled that that she'll remain an important part of the Radio 2 family."

Shortly after Ball's departure was announced, her replacement was revealed as Scott Mills, who currently presents the weekday afternoon show and has previously filled in for Ball on multiple occasions.

"Zoe and I have been such good friends now for over 25 years and have spent much of that time as part of the same radio family here at Radio 2 and also on Radio 1," he said. "She's done an incredible job on this show over the past six years, and I am beyond excited to be handed the baton."

Talking about her replacement, Ball said: "Scott and I go way back to our Radio 1 days, when he was doing early mornings before me. He's been a close friend for years, and I'm beyond thrilled it's him taking over the Breakfast Show.

"Breakfast has always been his dream, and what a year he's had - from racing around the world to his beautiful wedding to Sam. He's not only a blooming brilliant producer but one of the best in radio."

Trevor Nelson will take over from Mills in the weekday 2pm to 4pm slot, with DJ Spoony replacing Nelson Mondays to Thursdays from 10pm to midnight with The Good Groove.