Zoe Ball returns to BBC Radio 2 after shock six week absence

The presenter returned to her usual slot on BBC Radio 2 this morning as she spoke to fans at the top of the show at 6.30am.

Zoe Ball has returned to the air six weeks after she vanished from her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show without warning.

The popular radio presenter, spoke to fans at the top of this morning's show at 6.30am. She said: "Morning gorgeous people its me Zoe the happy wanderer. I've wandered back. How was your Brat summer? Was it marvellous? We did that in the 90s it was called something different then. 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. Take it easy out on the road," she added.

The presenter then said thanks to 'dear friend' Scott Mills for looking after the show when she was off saying 'but more on that later', The Mirror reports.

"What have I missed? Text me. I've missed ya," she added. After playing September by Earth Wind and Fire, Zoe then joked she hadn't gone to Turkey to have a 'new face and teeth' when she was away, The Mirror reports.

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"You do look great though," newsreader Tina Daheley told her. Zoe said she had 'so much gossip' to catch up on, but joked some of that would have to be reserved for off-air conversations with her fellow presenters.

Zoe, 53, had alerted fans that she was returning to her £950,000 role after her mysterious absence on Sunday night. In a post to X, formerly Twitter, she said: “Back on breakfast @bbcradio2 tomorrow morning at 6:30.”

The DJ also thanked fellow presenters Scott Mills and DJ Spoony for putting in 'mega shifts' to replace her.

The broadcaster has not been on the The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show since she briefly returned to hosting on August 8, following a summer break.

On August 12 Radio 2 listeners got a shock when they were greeted by a different voice on the BBC Breakfast Show.

Stand-in Scott Mills sparked concern when he revealed usual host Zoe Ball would be away 'for weeks' and said the team were 'sending her all their love.'

Scott told listeners: "Good Morning. You weren't expecting me were you? Welcome to Monday. It's Scott Mills." Addressing the confusion, he continued: "If you set your alarm every morning to go off at 6.30 and normally Zoe comes on please do not freak out. You have not overslept. I'm here doing the Breakfast Show do not panic. It's early. You aren't late for work. It's Monday 12th August," said Scott.

Following the news bulletin at 8am, Scott addressed the switch-up again as he told listeners: "If you've just put us on this morning, it's Scott Mills in for Zoe for the next few weeks. I'm sending you all my love Zo' as are the team."

Zoe also pulled out of her show the Friday before, seemingly at the 11th hour - after saying she would be at the helm on her social media the night before, telling her followers "See you at dawn'".

The BBC later confirmed to the Mirror that Zoe would not return until September. In a statement they said: "Zoe is taking time off and will return in September."

Zoe's return has come days after she told followers it was late mum's 'heavenly' birthday - and the first one since she tragically passed away in April. Zoe said her family were “bereft” following the death of her mother Julia, with the presenter taking two weeks off work to grieve the sad news.

Zoe's son Woody spoke out about her absence last week and said he had to 'step up'. The 23-year-old said: "My mum and I like to keep our private lives to ourselves but I will say I have stepped up and spent a lot more time with her recently as she has always been there when I've had tough times. I'm glad to see her smiling."

The Radio 2 presenter announced in early March that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer and was being “incredibly brave”. It was confirmed that Gaby Roslin would “occasionally” replace her on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show so she could spend time with her mother who was later taken to a hospice. Just 12 weeks later Zoe announced that her mum had sadly died.

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“Sleep tight dear Mama,” Ball said, announcing the death on social media, sharing a younger picture of her mother, as she announced the news to her followers. "Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts. We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other.”

She was the first female host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 1998, a post she held until 2000.

She also co-hosted the BBC’s Saturday morning children’s magazine Live & Kicking alongside Jamie Theakston for three years from 1996.

Ball has presented the BBC spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, and ITV’s reality competition show Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.

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