BBC Radio 2 confirms Zoe Ball's future amid absence

BBC Radio 2 has confirmed that Zoe Ball will be returning to her show after a lengthy absence.

The Celebrity Gogglebox star hasn't hosted her Radio 2 Breakfast Show since August 8 — only a few days after returning from a previous break from the radio.

Scott Mills is sitting in for Zoe this week, and the BBC Radio 2 schedule indicates he will be doing so once again next week.

Fans have naturally been wondering if or when Zoe will be back in her regular presenting slot, but Express has shared a statement from Radio 2 clarifying the situation.

zoe ball
Ray Burmiston - BBC

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"Zoe will return to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show later this month," a BBC Radio 2 spokesperson told the news outlet.

Scott Mills addressed Zoe's extended absence on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show a few weeks back for any fans confused as to why he wasn't in his usual afternoon slot.

"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," he said.

"I'm here doing The Breakfast Show. Do not panic. It's early. You aren't late for work."

Scott subsequently sent a message of support to his co-worker: "I'm sending you all my love Zo, as are the team."

zoe ball on the red carpet
Karwai Tang/WireImage) - Getty Images

Zoe had taken a previous break from Radio 2 in the spring, before returning to announce mother Julia Peckham had been diagnosed with cancer.

"Sadly, heartbreakingly her cancer is quite advanced but we're making loads of lovely memories and taking care of her, she has some amazing people around her," she told listeners in March.

"I've had some real heartbreaking messages from people who have lost loved ones to cancer recently, you are all in my heart."

Tragically, Zoe shared one month later that her mother Julia had died. In August, she posted a moving tribute on what would have been her mum's birthday.

"Your beautiful beaming smile shining down on our hearts always but boy, losing you is harder than I could ever have imagined. Holding on so tight, letting the tears come & wishing on the stars," she wrote on Instagram.

The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show airs between 6.30am and 9.30am on BBC Radio 2 every weekday.


If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please click here for guidance from Macmillan Cancer Support, or click here to learn more from Stand Up to Cancer.


If you identify with the themes in this article, the NHS has resources available to help with grief counselling and other support in the UK. In the US, the CDC also has resources available for those grieving.

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