Zoe Ball, the popular BBC Radio 2 broadcaster, has publicly shared her struggle with a jaw condition called Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), which causes her significant discomfort and frequent headaches.
In a candid Instagram post, Ball revealed that she experiences “awful headaches” upon waking, primarily due to tension and jaw clenching associated with her condition. The medical profession more precisely refers to this as Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).
According to the NHS, TMD symptoms can include:
– Pain around the jaw, ear, and temple
– Headaches concentrated in the temples
– Difficulty fully opening one’s mouth
Ball shared a before-and-after photo demonstrating treatment for her condition, expressing gratitude to the clinic that helped her manage her symptoms. Her post resonated with many followers who commented with messages of empathy and shared experiences.
This health revelation comes at a significant time in Ball’s professional life, as she recently announced her departure from BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show after six years. She will host her final show on December 20, with Scott Mills set to take over the morning slot in early January.
Ball’s decision to step away from early morning broadcasting stems partly from a desire to focus on her family, especially following the loss of her mother over the summer. She originally took over the breakfast show from Chris Evans in 2019.
Professionally, Ball has been a prominent figure at the BBC, being listed as the highest-paid on-air female presenter for the 2023/24 period, with a salary between £950,000 and £954,999. She ranked second overall in the BBC’s salary rankings, behind only Gary Lineker.
It’s worth noting that the BBC’s salary disclosures are not comprehensive, as many stars are paid through production companies and are not required to have their earnings publicly revealed.
Ball’s openness about her health condition highlights the importance of discussing workplace wellness and personal health challenges. By sharing her experience with TMJ, she raises awareness about a condition that many people might experience but rarely discuss publicly.
Her upcoming transition away from the breakfast show marks the end of an era for her long-standing radio career. Scott Mills, who currently hosts Radio 2’s weekday afternoon programme, will be taking over her prestigious morning slot.
As Ball prepares to step back from her early morning radio duties, her revelation about TMJ offers insight into the personal challenges media personalities sometimes face behind the scenes, demonstrating that even high-profile broadcasters deal with health issues that can impact their daily lives.
