Zoe Ball says she's 'wandered back' to BBC Radio 2 as she addresses six week absence

Radio presenter Zoe Ball said "I have wandered back” and asked "How was your Brat summer?" as she returned to hosting her BBC show on Radio 2.

The broadcaster has not been on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show since she briefly returned to hosting on August 8, following a summer break. Zoe, 53, also thanked her colleague and radio presenter Scott Mills for filling in for her, before playing Earth, Wind & Fire’s September.

Speaking to listeners at the top of the show at 6.30am she said: "Morning gorgeous people it's 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.

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"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.

Zoe then said thanks to 'dear friend' Scott for looking after the show when she was off saying 'but more on that later.' She then asked: "What have I missed? Text me. I've missed ya."

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. "You do look great though," newsreader Tina Daheley told her.

Zoe was last on her breakfast show on August 8. She had returned just four days earlier from a previous lengthy absence. Speaking on August 12, Scott addressed Zoe's absence 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."

While a reason has not been given for Zoe's absence, the BBC presenter has faced quite a heartbreaking year, with the loss of her mum and needing emergency dental treatment. Back in April, Zoe took time off work as she emotionally announced the death of her mum, Julia Peckham. The late mother died from advanced pancreatic cancer aged 75.