Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 return date ‘revealed’ after six week absence sparked concern among listeners

Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners

I’ve always admired Zoe Ball for her resilience and strength, particularly in the face of adversity. Her journey through life, marked by love, loss, and heartache, is truly inspiring. The way she handled the end of her marriage with her ex-husband and later, her long-term partner, shows an unwavering spirit that few possess.


Zoe Ball will return to her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Monday September 23.

Next week, Zoe will be back on air hosting her program, as the stand-in host, Scott Mills, goes back to his usual afternoon timeframe.

Since August 8, you haven’t heard Zoe on the radio or TV, as Scott and Gabby Roslin have taken over her duties during that time.

In the face of numerous worried posts from fans online, Scott started Zoe’s show on Monday without addressing the absence of his fellow performer.

Previously, he expressed his backing to the celebrity during her August 12 performance, informing audience members that he would be stepping in unplanned.

Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners

Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners

“If your alarm clock usually plays Zoe at 6:30 am each morning, don’t worry if you wake up later than that. You haven’t overslept,” he reassured listeners, mentioning that he would be holding the reins for a while.

If you’ve tuned in today, you’ll be hearing Scott Mills instead of Zoe for a while. He’s extending his warmest regards to everyone, just as we all are here on the team.

People who know Zoe, both fans and peers, express worry about the DJ, as she is the BBC’s highest-earning woman with an annual salary of £950,000.

She then returned to work for three days before leaving the show.

The BBC has yet to provide a reason for her temporary departure, with their representative stating previously that she is expected to return towards the end of this month.

53-year-old Zoe hasn’t been as active on social media lately; her most recent Instagram post was made on August 5.

It featured a picture of her with her two children saying she was ‘jet lagged, brighton pride lagged [and] ibiza lagged’.

Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners

One BBC insider told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Nobody knows what has happened but everyone loves Zoe. 

We’re checking in, hoping all is well. It’s quite conspicuous that Zoe isn’t with us at the BBC these days, as she’s deeply cherished here.

The Corporation is understood to have been contacted by fans concerned for her welfare. 

But some listeners have taken a dim view of her taking time off without explanation.

One tweeted: ‘Is this a BBC scandal, complete misuse of licence payers’ funds. 

‘Zoe Ball gets to pick and choose her contract terms and conditions.

‘She’s never at work, more holidays than you can imagine. Are we mugs paying for this? No comment.’

Another added: ‘Why are the BBC still paying Zoe Ball when she is still off air, just get rid of her for someone who does want to work early morning shift. ‘

Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners

In March, Zoe announced that she was going to take some time away from work to look after her mother, Julia Peckham, who had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

In April, she passed away, and the host resumed work on May 13. Previously, Ms. Ball had a three-week break in Corfu last year, where she hosted “Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream” for a competing network, ITV.

This year, Zoe chose to step back from Radio 2 for a while due to a string of hardships and sorrows she had to face, which she felt required her full attention towards her family.

53-year-old BBC broadcaster shared the news in April about the passing of her mother, Julia, who lost her life to pancreatic cancer following her diagnosis one month prior.

Posting a tribute to her mother on social media, she said: ‘Sleep tight dear Mama. 

‘We appreciate all that you’ve shown us about loving selflessly, being brave, and finding joy amidst hardship. Your absence leaves a void, yet we’ll cling to one another with your teachings in mind.’

It is the latest in a string of tragedies the beloved Radio 2 presenter has had to endure. 

Over the past five and a half years, she had been in a relationship with Michael Reed, but unfortunately, this bond has now come to an end. Seven years ago, her former partner, Billy Yates, passed away by taking his own life in May of 2017.

Following the dissolution of her 18-year marriage with DJ Fatboy Slim (whose real name is Normal Cook), Ms. Ball experienced Mr. Yates’ passing.

Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners
Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners
Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners

After learning about her mother’s cancer diagnosis, Zoe announced that she was planning to step back from her work at the station for a while in order to prioritize her family.

At that point, she mentioned that her family was facing some particularly challenging periods, yet her mother displayed remarkable courage.

In early March, she shared two photos: one depicted Julia surrounded by loved ones, and another showed Julia undergoing chemotherapy at the hospital. Accompanying these images, she penned a heartfelt message saying: “Tragically, our cherished Mama Julia has been diagnosed with cancer.

It’s no secret that we’re going through some exceptionally challenging periods. Yet, amidst all this hardship, Mum continues to display remarkable courage.

My brother Jamie and I are utterly amazed by the exceptional medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, who are caring for our mother. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude.

I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation to our dear families, both those close to us and our colleagues, for the unwavering support they have provided during these times.

Extending heartfelt affection to everyone reading this who are fighting cancer, those anxiously waiting for a diagnosis, and caring loved ones who are tending to the unwell.

For several decades, the family has faced tough times. Zoe’s parents, Julia and Johnny Ball (a past television host), divorced in 1972, only three years into their marriage.

Mr Ball remarried his second wife, Dianne Cheryl, in 1976, with the pair remaining together today.

As Zoe’s professional journey soared, she and her partner Fatboy Slim mutually boosted each other during their ascent into prominence. Later, he acknowledged that she maintained a grounded perspective for him by occasionally reining him in when necessary, regarding his actions.

I shared with the Changes podcast that, although one may have leeway to bend the rules, there are numerous individuals who will often tolerate actions that go as far as manslaughter.

Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners
Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners
Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners

In my experience, Zoe proved incredibly valuable to me due to her understanding of the intricacies of the celebrity world. Essentially, we served as mutual checks and balances, ensuring neither of us navigated through it blindly.

If I weren’t considerate towards people, she might say something like, “Hey, let’s be reasonable here. That’s not how we conduct ourselves. Apologize and express gratitude instead.

Regrettably, their marriage concluded in 2016, as they expressed it, they had reached “the end of their colorful journey together.

Despite the fact that Ms. Ball quickly found herself in a new romance with Billy Yates, their bond, too, did not prove to be enduring.

Following a prolonged struggle against depression, Mr. Yates, aged 40, tragically ended his life at his residence in Putney, located in southwest London, in May of 2017.

Previously, the Radio 2 host expressed her heartfelt gratitude that he had bid farewell to her during their last encounter.

With a tremble in her voice, she recounted their last moments. “He hopped onto his bicycle, pedaled away, glanced back, and gave me an affectionate farewell kiss. That was the last sight I had of him.

She remarked: “That was the instant when I felt an overwhelming affection for him, thinking ‘I adore him so deeply, we’ll locate assistance and everything will turn out alright.’ If only I had confided that to him.

Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners
Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners
Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners
Zoe Ball's Radio 2 return date 'revealed' after six week absence sparked concern among listeners

One year following his passing, Ms. Ball embarked on a demanding, five-day cycling journey covering 350 miles for the charity event, Sport Relief. She did this in remembrance of him and to bring attention to the importance of mental health concerns.

Every year, she faithfully honors his memory by commemorating it, and after his passing, she resumes her job at Radio 2 adorned in a shirt bearing his name.

In my own journey, I discovered the strength to embrace love anew after experiencing loss, when I started dating the charismatic Michael Reed, once a hardworking man in the construction industry.

However, despite initial perceptions of him being a genuine gentleman, the friendship between the individuals ended around May 2023, approximately five years later, as Mr. Reed was reportedly becoming somewhat demanding.

It appears that the couple was allegedly having disagreements over trivial matters in their daily routine, like Zoe frequently chatting on her phone with friends.

To receive discreet assistance, dial the Samaritans at 116 123, explore resources at samaritans.org, or navigate to thecalmzone.net/get-support for support options.

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2024-09-19 12:20

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