Zoe Ball’s replacement addresses her absence from BBC Radio 2 show-Danni Scott-Entertainment – Metro

Zoe Ball has not presented her Radio 2 Breakfast show since Thursday (Picture: PA)

Radio 2 listeners usually wake to Zoe Ball’s familiar voice over the airwaves, but the star has been missing from her Breakfast show for the past few days.

On Friday, August 9, Gaby Roslin could be heard welcoming the 6.30am audience instead of the 53-year-old presenter.

This unexpected absence has stretched into this morning’s show too, with Scott Mills taking over for Zoe and joking listeners hadn’t ‘overslept’.

The BBC confirmed to Metro.co.uk that Zoe would be taking time off and planned to return in September but offered no further details.

Usually, presenters will give listeners a heads-up if they plan to be off but on Zoe’s last show on Thursday, she simply said: ‘See you at dawn’.

Her last shock time off came after her mum’s sudden death in April, 12 weeks after receiving a cancer diagnosis.

Scott Mills has stepped in for Zoe while she’s off (Picture: Kate Green/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)

Zoe will be off-air until September (Picture: PA)

‘Good Morning. You weren’t expecting me, were you? Welcome to Monday. It’s Scott Mills,’ the 51-year-old presenter announced.

Aware that his voice might cause panic as Scott usually fills an afternoon slot on the popular BBC radio station.

He explained: ‘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.’

Scott gave no further details about Zoe’s absence and the star herself has not given any further information.

She lost her mum in April (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Her mum Julia died 12 weeks after a cancer diagnosis (Picture: @zoetheball)

Her disappearance from the airwaves appears to have been an unexpected one as guest Will Young shared he was excited to chat with her on Thursday night.

‘Jumping into album release day tomorrow on @bbcradio2. @zoetheball bring your swimmers,’ the Leave Right Now hitmaker shared on X.

Instead, he found himself chatting to Gaby, 60, about his brand new album.

Zoe had only just returned to her Breakfast slot on August 5 after a short break for her mum’s birthday – the first since her death.

Keeping things light, the presenter asked ‘What did I miss?’ after saying her family, which includes two children with ex Fatboy Slim, were ‘bereft’.

The radio DJ had announced her mother Julia Peckham’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis in March, subsequently taking time off work to care for her.

Zoe has not addressed her absence (Picture: Claire R Greenway/Getty Images)

After the funeral, Zoe wrote on Instagram: ‘Yesterday we said goodbye to our dear Mama, Granny J. It was the perfect day and she would have loved it.

‘Forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic & love. Missing you so much but holding tight to each other.’

Her mum died on April 24, with Zoe sharing: ‘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.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More