Zoe Ball's son says 'I've stepped up' as he speaks out over BBC star's Radio 2 absence

Zoe Ball is set to come back on the air later this month
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Zoe Ball has been leaning on her son Woody Cook for support during her extended break from BBC Radio 2. The 53-year-old presenter has been absent from her show since 8 August, leaving listeners wondering about her absence.

Recently, Zoe was spotted sharing a heartfelt moment with her former husband Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, which raised eyebrows among her fans. They were seen together outside a café in Hove, where they reportedly spent just over an hour.

After an unexpected hiatus from her popular morning radio slot, Zoe is expected to return this coming Monday according to the latest schedules. In her absence, Gaby Roslin and Scott Mills have been stepping in, the Mirror reports.

Woody, aged 23, spoke to MailOnline about his bond with his mother: "My mum and I like to keep our private lives to ourselves but I will say I have stepped up and spent a lot more time with her recently as she has always been there when I've had tough times. I'm glad to see her smiling."

Meanwhile, BBC sources are keeping quiet about the precise date of Zoe's return, only hinting that they are waiting for Zoe's direction. Comments from the station have vaguely mentioned that she is expected to "return later this month".

In August, as Zoe Ball was taking a break, Scott Mills calmed the nerves of his morning audience by stating on BBC Radio 2: "If you set your alarm every morning to go off at 6:30am and normally Zoe comes on, please do not freak out. You have not overslept. If you've just put us on this morning, it's Scott Mills in for Zoe for the next few weeks. I'm sending you all my love Zo', as are the team."

When Zoe Ball made broadcasting history in 2019, she became the first woman to host the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, taking the reins from Chris Evans who moved to Virgin Radio after eight years. Ball had previously broken new ground as the very first female voice of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 1998, a position she held until 2000.

Zoe Ball is well-known beyond her radio work, having co-presented 'Live and Kicking' with Jamie Theakston on Saturday mornings for three years starting in 1996, hosting the beloved 'Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two', and appearing on ITV to present 'Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream'.

As the BBC's top-earning woman, with an annual salary of £950,000, Zoe spent part of her summer unwinding in Ibiza, enjoying Brighton Pride, and then briefly returned to the airwaves before taking another period of leave.