Before he began playing the role on the legendary show, breakfast show host Scott, who took over in January, claims Zoe had a few words of wisdom for him.
Scott Mills has revealed that Zoe Ball gave him a stark warning before he replaced her on BBC Radio 2, telling him: “It’s a lot – you’ve always got to be on.”
Scott, 52, was unveiled as the new Breakfast Show host last year after the shock news Zoe was stepping down after six years at the Radio 2 helm. And in spite of more than two decades of experience on the airwaves, he admitted he still struggles with the pressure to deliver the best show possible. Scott told the Mirror: “The show is a lot, it’s hard work. It’s a treadmill every day.
When Zoe finished, she said, “Look, doing breakfast on Radio 2 is quite a lot. You have to be on, and it’s quite demanding. She was correct. The number of guests we have is increasing constantly. I was like, “I’m ready,” when she said it to me. And I’m at my happy place, too.
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“But pressure is obviously present. If you’re not feeling any pressure, you probably shouldn’t be doing that job, in my opinion. That is, however, good. I constantly put pressure on myself, and I have that inherent in me. Far from it, I’m feeling any boss pressure at all. However, I want to produce the best show possible.
You’re only as good as your last show, according to an old saying (I’m not sure if it’s an acting phrase)? And I admit that it’s a little old-fashioned, but I do agree. I get really annoyed if I’ve had a bad show for reasons that a listener might not even notice, such as when I tripped over my words. You can get beaten up about it.
Scott has previously admitted to having battled severe anxiety and depression as a young man and has spoken out about his struggles with mental health. And he revealed that despite continuing to experience dark periods while speaking this week on the new Mercedes-Benz Vans podcast Under the Bonnet, he uses exercise to cope.
According to Scott, the podcast host, “I definitely lean into exercise to improve my mental health.” When I don’t do it, I’ve really noticed. I was the last student chosen for a sport at the time, but that’s not my thing. It’s more like a bit of a high that you get after you’ve been than it is about that feeling. And I’m doing it now, after watching the Breakfast Show, because I’ve spent the last few years dealing with depression and anxiety.
Thankfully, there hasn’t been much change, but I can already tell when a dark period is about to break out. I make time for exercise because, to be honest, it has helped me know.
The first podcast specifically geared toward van drivers in the UK is called The Under the Bonnet. The 30-year anniversary of the Sprinter and the discussion of the Under the Bonnet report, which examines how van drivers have grown to be a benchmark for contemporary Britain, are the topics of the new series.
According to the report, the typical van driver only talks about five times a day while the average person only talks about 27. And 80% attributed team sports to improving their mental health.
According to Scott, “I could really relate to that because of my own experiences.” Some of the drivers I spoke with described how lonely it felt to drive for 20 hours straight.
And it made me think of the time I was a presenter on the radio when I was making my way up. When I was 16 years old, I was first hired on radio in Southampton, and a radio station in Bristol later asked me to relocate there. I therefore relocated to Bristol without knowing anyone. And I spent my entire time on my own, aside from the time I was putting together my show. I moved from Bristol to Manchester, and I mean, I’ve never been north of Birmingham; I’m a true Southerner.
“So once again, you uproot your life, you rent a flat and you don’t know anyone. And this is, like, early 1990s, so mobiles weren’t really a thing. You weren’t really in touch with people, you know, day-to-day. I can remember my Mum coming to visit me, and crying because I was so lonely. She asked if I was going to put a Christmas tree up, and I told her I would, but that no-one would see it. It was a very isolating time.
I made those decisions to advance my career, but I constantly wondered, “At what cost? ” You don’t realize that as you’re working it out, despite the fact that it all worked out great. People will now tell me, “Oh, you’re on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show,” but they are unaware that I’ve worked so hard for years to climb that ladder.
“To be honest, it still boggles my mind that this has occurred to me. We’ve only just begun, and it’s been four crazy months since I took over the show.
Scott, who wed his wife Sam Vaughan last year, is also celebrating his first wedding anniversary off the air this month.
He explained how their partnership works because they support one another, and revealed plans to whisk Sam away to their Spanish wedding venue.
He continued, “Our first year has been fantastic. And I’ll explain why it’s been wonderful because it’s so simple. We just help each other out whenever we can, which is the way it should be. Me and him are a fantastic team. With Eurovision, etc., it’s been a busy time lately.
However, I enjoy it, and I enjoy returning home after grueling days, with everything just being normal and calm; that sense of security that someone is there for you. It’s so beautiful.
Last night, we were talking about this, and I said, “That’s been a pretty good first year of marriage.” And I mean, it’s whipped past, passing quickly.
I’m taking him back to Spain this weekend where we got married. He still hasn’t learned this, so we will travel there tomorrow.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever, ever, ever, ever been,” I said at the time. I’m so happy that everything seems to have come together for me. I’m actually having a ball.
The first podcast made specifically for van drivers in the UK, Under the Bonnet, is being hosted by Scott Mills. The Sprinter van’s 30th anniversary is the topic of the podcast’s launch, which also includes information on the Under the Bonnet report’s findings.
Source: Mirror
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