Zoe Ball says she was pressured to put on skimpy outfits when she first began her profession as a presenter.
The 54-year-old star’s early presenting jobs included Channel 4’s The Massive Breakfast in and BBC’s Dwell Kicking and admitted that in her early days within the media it “wasn’t an possibility” to say no to “uncomfortable” requests throughout photoshoots or at work.
She advised The Occasions: “It’s solely years later you look again and assume, goodness me.
“It was really Sophie Ellis-Bextor [in her memoir] that undid me, studying among the stuff she went via and the way what she might see of ladies within the media was Sara [Cox] and I.
“I bear in mind going to a shoot they usually’d be like, ‘Straddle a chair’.
“There’d be these racks of tiny garments, so it was fairly uncomfortable, nevertheless it was, like, I’ve obtained to do it. There was no saying, ‘I don’t assume she desires to do it,’ you’re conditioned to assume, that’s simply how it’s.
“However now I’m serious about my daughter; if somebody requested her to do this or mentioned one thing about her, I’d be, like …”
In the meantime, Zoe – who was one of many BBC’s highest paid presenters earlier than quitting her Radio 2 breakfast present final 12 months as a way to concentrate on her 15-year-old daughter Nelly – just lately admitted she was questioning her determination as Nelly was by no means at dwelling.
Zoe – who additionally has 24-year-old son Woody along with her ex-husband, 62-year-old DJ Fatboy Slim -told comedians Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe on their Parenting Hell podcast: “I gave up work as a result of she’s going to do her GCSEs, however she’s by no means right here, she’s out along with her mates.
“I am like, ‘I’ve given up be just right for you! What did I surrender for?’
“Yeah, I’ve considered it as a result of I have been via this a bit with Woody, however I had the enjoyment of getting Nelly nonetheless round.”
Zoe gave up her £950,000-a-year wage from her Radio 2 Breakfast Present job – following her mum Julia’s dying from most cancers in 2024 – so she might help Nelly along with her exams, in addition to assist her navigate the difficulties of being a teen.
The broadcaster – who was changed by DJ Scott Mills, 51, on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast present – added: “It is solely since giving up the breakfast present that I now do the college run within the morning, and I like it.
“She’s obtained GCSEs this 12 months, however that was a part of giving up the breakfast present. I used to be like, I actually need to be there for her as a result of it is going to be a troublesome 12 months.
“And in addition for ladies, 15, is booze and boys. It is a nightmare. It is an absolute minefield.”
