Zoe Ball pulls out of Comic Relief after testing positive for COVID
Zoe Ball has had to pull out of Comic Relief after catching the coronavirus.
The TV star, 51, was due to be one of the hosts of the charity show tonight (18 March) but has tested positive for COVID.
She posted a message on Twitter saying that Alesha Dixon would be working the "double shift" to fill in for her.
Read more: Tom Daley had to be carried to the bathroom after gruelling Comic Relief trek
It comes after singer Kylie Minogue and TV star Joel Dommett also had to pull out after contracting the virus.
pook ! fell at last hurdle and have had positive lat flows this am- noooooooo - gorgeous @AleshaOfficial is going to work the double shift tonight on @ComicRelief, i owe you lady love - good luck to A, Lenny, David, Paddy, AJ, Vernon, & the @comicrelief gang ♥️
— Zoe Ball (@ZoeTheBall) March 18, 2022
Ball told fans on Twitter: "Pook!
"Fell at last hurdle and have had positive lat flows this am - noooooooo - gorgeous @AleshaOfficial is going to work the double shift tonight on @ComicRelief, I owe you lady love - good luck to A, Lenny, David, Paddy, AJ, Vernon, & the @comicrelief gang."
"There are so many brilliant treats in store tonight," she went on.
there are so many brilliant treats in store tonight. i'll be watching & supporting from bed (probably in full make up, outfit, heels and all) might invite @joeldommett over #sickbay
COMIC RELIEF @BBCOne 7pm#rednoseday— Zoe Ball (@ZoeTheBall) March 18, 2022
"I'll be watching & supporting from bed (probably in full make up, outfit, heels and all) might invite @joeldommett over #sickbay."
Minogue had been due to take part in a sketch with the cast of BBC sitcom Ghosts, but said she wouldn't be able to as she was recovering from COVID.
"So sorry to miss my planned visit to #BBCGhosts Button House for #ComicRelief2022 as I’ve been recovering from COVID," she tweeted.
"I WILL, however, be watching @BBCOne 7pm Friday to see what fun @comicrelief has in store for us! Don’t forget to tune in & support the incredible work they do!"
So sorry to miss my planned visit to #BBCGhosts Button House for #ComicRelief2022 as I’ve been recovering from Covid. I WILL, however, be watching @BBCOne 7pm Friday to see what fun @comicrelief has in store for us! Don’t forget to tune in & support the incredible work they do!❤️
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) March 17, 2022
Dommett was also lined up to host and is being replaced by Vernon Kay, who he quipped was "better looking" and "more talented".
"Super annoyed to report that I have the vid," he posted on Instagram.
"This unfortunately means I have to pull out of hosting @comicrelief... My incredible replacement is the better looking, more talented @vernonkay who is ace.
"I’ll be watching from home donating loads of money like everyone else!"
Comic Relief will see Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders reprise their characters The Extras in a sketch show version of The Repair Shop, and Strictly Come Dancing winners Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice will perform a waltz.
Read more: Kylie Minogue 'forever grateful' to Neighbours as soap is axed after 37 years
Other highlights include Stephen Fry and Sue Perkins reading the CBeebies Bedtime Stories, and Jack Whitehall taking on footballers Mason Mount and Declan Rice in the Mini Golf Challenge.
Comic Relief's main night of programming airs on Friday, 18 March from 7pm on BBC One.
Watch: Tom Daley discusses gruelling Comic Relief trek