Zoe Ball Discloses Jaw Condition Causing “Awful Headaches”

Broadcaster Zoe Ball has disclosed that she experiences “awful headaches” upon waking due to a jaw condition. She identified this condition as TMJ (disorder), an acronym for temporomandibular joint, and has been the host of BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show since 2019. On Instagram, Ball stated: “I have TMJ and wake most days with awful headaches from tension & jaw clenching.” Her announcement earlier this month revealed her departure from the radio show after a six-year tenure, with Scott Mills slated to succeed her. The NHS website indicates that symptoms of this condition, medically referred to as Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), encompass pain in the jaw, ear, and temple regions, headaches affecting the temples, and restricted mouth opening. Ball posted a photograph illustrating her face before and after undergoing treatment, expressing her “so grateful” appreciation for the clinic that provided assistance. Comments on her post included numerous messages from individuals who identified with her discomfort. The 54-year-old had previously stated on her program earlier this month that she felt it was time to “step away from the very early mornings and focus on family,” having taken a summer break earlier due to her mother’s passing. She assumed presenting responsibilities from Chris Evans in 2019 and is scheduled to present her final show on 20 December. Mills, who currently hosts Radio 2’s weekday afternoon program, is set to commence his new role in early January. In 1998, Ball made history as the first female host of the Radio 1 breakfast show, following her co-presentation of the Saturday morning children’s television program Live & Kicking with Jamie Theakston. For the 2023/24 period, Ball was identified as the BBC’s highest-earning on-air female presenter, with a salary ranging from £950,000 to £954,999, placing her second overall after the departing Match of the Day host Gary Lineker. Nevertheless, a significant number of other personalities are not featured on the salary list, as the BBC is not obligated to reveal the remuneration of those paid via production companies. This category includes BBC Studios, the corporation’s commercial division, which operates independently of the licence fee and is not required to disclose salaries, thereby enabling it to compete fairly within the industry.