Zoe Ball has been noticeably absent from her weekday BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show for the past five weeks, with Scott Mills and Gaby Roslin among those stepping into her role.
While Zoe has been absent from her Breakfast show for the past five weeks, it's not the first time she's unexpectedly disappeared from her regular slot this year.
Back in March, the 53-year-old revealed that she'd be taking some time off after her mum, Julie Peckham, was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Sharing the sad news in an Instagram post, Zoe penned: "Heartbreakingly our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with Cancer. As many of you know from experience, these are extremely tough times. Mum is being incredibly brave.
"My brother Jamie & I are completely in awe of the brilliant Doctors, Nurses & support teams looking after Mum. Thank you," she continued, going on to express her gratitude to her family. "Sending out love to people reading this who are battling cancer, or awaiting diagnosis & also to the folk looking after their dear ones who are poorly," added the presenter.
Zoe briefly returned to her show in March, telling her listeners: "It's me! I've missed you all. I've been looking after my dear ma, but I'm back to bother you."
The following month, Zoe's mum sadly passed away shortly after being moved into a hospice. Taking to social media with the devastating announcement, the broadcaster wrote: "Sleep tight dear Mama.
"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. Your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us."
The news was also announced on-air by Gaby Roslin, who along with Scott Mills, had been standing in for Zoe during her absence.
Zoe returned to her show in May and was on the air in June and July. She made her last appearance on 8 August before Scott took over again.
"If you've just put us on this morning, it's Scott Mills in for Zoe for the next few weeks," he told listeners on 12 August. "I'm sending you all my love Zo as are the team," he added.
Zoe Ball’s Return Confirmed
A spokesperson for the BBC recently confirmed that Zoe will be back on the air in September. "Zoe will return to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show later this month," they said.
Fans were relieved to hear that Zoe will be returning to her usual slot. Some speculated that she might be leaving the show for good after her extended absence.
Zoe Ball’s Recent Struggles
Zoe's recent absence has been a source of speculation among fans. However, it comes after a particularly challenging period for the presenter, marked by personal loss and health issues.
Zoe's time away from the show has been the subject of much conjecture. But it has been a challenging year for the presenter, following the death of her mother and the anniversary of her ex-partner's passing.
In April, Zoe announced the death of her mother, Julia Peckham, who lost her battle with advanced pancreatic cancer at 75. Adding to her sorrow, Zoe was hit with another wave of grief just days after her mother's death, as she marked the anniversary of her ex-partner's passing. Billy Yates, a cameraman for Antiques Roadshow, tragically took his own life in 2017 at the young age of 40, during the early stages of his relationship with Zoe.
A Long and Winding Road
Zoe's career has spanned decades, and she's faced many challenges along the way. She's been candid about her love life, her experiences with infidelity, and the loss of her ex-partner.
Despite these challenges, Zoe has remained a popular figure in the entertainment industry. Her fans are looking forward to her return to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, and many have expressed their support for the presenter.
Zoe’s career has spanned decades and she’s faced many challenges along the way. She’s been candid about her love life, her experiences with infidelity, and the loss of her ex-partner.
The BBC Radio 2 presenter, 53, has made several candid admissions about her love life over the years, with the mum-of-two even opening up about being unfaithful during her marriage to Fatboy Slim and their eventual split. Zoe has also touched on the grief of losing a boyfriend to suicide, urging others not to suffer in silence when it comes to mental health battles.
Zoe and DJ Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, were one of the golden celebrity couples of the late 90s and early 00s, with the two stars tying the knot in 1999 and welcoming two children into the world together before calling time on their romance for good in 2016.
The former couple, who co-parent son Woody, 22, and daughter Nelly, 13, first briefly split in 2003, when it was revealed Zoe had been having an affair with one of her husband's friends. Speaking to The Mirror about the extra-martial affair in 2010, Zoe confessed that she "wasn't happy" and that a "mix of everything" contributed to her infidelity.
Zoe shared: "And what I've always done in my past when life hit a rocky patch was just run from trouble into the next relationship. I've had so many boyfriends and that's what happened if it ever got difficult." Zoe also admitted at the time that family life fuelled this lack of satisfaction, admitting that "reality hit me hard" when she had kids.
She added: "Norm and I met in Ibiza and lived this crazy, party life and got married within a year," she said. "Then we had Woody and suddenly I was all settled down. I thought, 'Do know each other?"
Norman and Zoe rekindled their romance three months on from their brief split in 2003, going on to have a second child together in 2010, but sadly ended their marriage in 2016 and divorced. A statement from the parents-of-two announcing their split at the time read: "With great sadness we are announcing that we have separated. After many exciting adventures together over the last 18 years we have come to the end of our rainbow. We are still great friends and will continue to support each other and raise our beautiful children together, living next door but one. X Zoe and Norm."
True to their word, Norman and Zoe have remained close friends since ending their romantic relationship, with Praise You hitmaker appearing on Zoe's radio show in June ahead of Glastonbury and sharing a few cheeky jokes live on-air when Zoe almost forgot her ex's name.
Introducing her ex-husband to listeners, Zoe said : "I now welcome to the show somebody you may know from The Housemartins, Pizzaman, Beats International I nearly forgot what you were called then, sorry." To which Norman replied: "And such things as our marriage." "And such things as our marriage. It is Fatboy Slim aka Norman Cook," Zoe playfully replied.
Zoe suffered unimaginable heartache in 2017 when her boyfriend Billy Yates took his own life at the age of 40. Speaking about her late partner's death a few years later, the mum-of-two admitted losing Billy was the hardest thing she's "ever had to deal with" throughout her life.
Billy was a cameraman and technician who had worked on shows like the Antiques Roadshow, The Xtra Factor and Famous and Fearless. Zoe and Billy were first pictured together in February 2017 and their relationship marked Zoe's first public romance since her split from Norman.
Talking about Billy, who died in May 2017, Zoe opened up about her late partner during a tender interview on Desert Island Discs in February 2020. She recalled: "He'd lived with depression for a huge chunk of his life. It's so hard to sit and watch someone you love and care for struggle with mental health. Losing him was the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with in my life."
Zoe, who had been friends with Billy for years before their relationship turned romances, went on to add: "I think something that's really important to share... is that there is hope. There is help available, there are ways, we're still learning. For some people, the drugs work. For some people that isn't the case."
"But I think it's so isolating to be trapped in your mind like that, when you doubt yourself, you doubt everything you've ever known. You doubt your family love you. You doubt your friends care for you."
A New Chapter for Zoe?
Zoe has remained a popular figure in the entertainment industry, even after facing these challenges. Her fans are eagerly anticipating her return to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, and many have expressed their support. Her fans are eager to see what the future holds for the broadcaster. Many are hopeful that she'll be able to continue her successful career while managing the difficult times in her life. Her return to Radio 2 marks a new chapter for Zoe, and she's sure to bring her trademark energy and humor to the show.
Zoe has faced many challenges throughout her life, but she's shown resilience and strength. Her fans are proud of her, and they're excited to hear her back on the airwaves.
