Following her absence since 8th August, Zoe Ball has returned to her Radio 2 Breakfast Show this morning, and addressed her weeks off the air.
Advertisement
Speaking upon her return at the start of the show, Ball said: "Morning, gorgeous people. It's me, Zo, the happy wanderer. I've wandered back.
"How was your Brat summer? Was it marvellous? We did that back in the '90s, it was called something different then. Bringing back memories.
"I hope you've been enjoying some of the gorgeous sunsets over the last few weeks. It's a tad soggy our end this morning."
Recently, Scott Mills had been filling in for Ball to host the Breakfast Show, and Ball also gave a shoutout to her stand-in, thanking him for taking her place.
Zoe Ball. BBC/Ray Burmiston
She said: "Thank you to the newly crowned champion of Race Around [sic] the World, Scott Mills, for looking after you for the last two weeks. I love you, Scott - more on that later."
Ball also responded to a message speculating on the reason for her absence, saying: "Thank you for your message, Gavin, no I didn't go to Turkey for new face and teeth. What are you saying, Gavin, what are you saying?"
Ball later teased with her co-presenters that "half of what we need to discuss we have to discuss off air", but added that "some we can discuss on air", saying: "There's so much gossip to catch up on!"
She later went on to confirm that "it's good to be back".
While a reason has not yet been given for Ball's absence, she previously took a break from her radio slot in the spring, before returning to announce that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer.
On Thursday last week, Mills not only filled in for Ball, but he also covered the start of Vernon Kay's show, because the presenter was running late due to a delayed train.
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
