Zoe Ball Takes Unforeseen Break from Radio 2 Breakfast Show
BBC Radio 2 listeners were met with an unexpected change this morning as they tuned in to the Breakfast Show, finding Scott Mills at the helm instead of Zoe Ball.
"Good Morning. You weren't expecting me, were you? Welcome to Monday. It's Scott Mills," he announced, taking over the show at 6:30 am.
Mills quickly addressed the listeners' surprise, assuring them that it was no oversight: "If you set your alarm every morning to go off at 6:30 and normally Zoe comes on, please don't panic. You haven't 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."
The former Radio 1 DJ, who took over Steve Wright's slot last year, then detailed the day's programme as he stepped in for Ball.
Adding to the mystery, Ball, 53, had also made a last-minute exit from Friday's show despite telling her social media followers the night before, "See you at dawn." Instead, Gaby Roslin greeted listeners on Friday, leaving Will Young, who was scheduled to appear on the show with Ball, to chat with Roslin instead.
Young had expressed his excitement about being a guest on Thursday's show with Ball, tweeting: "Jumping in to album release day tomorrow on @bbcradio2. @zoetheball bring your swimmers."
The reasons behind Ball's sudden absence were not disclosed by either Roslin or Mills.
Ball had only just returned to her BBC show on Monday, 5th August, after an extended leave of absence. Upon her return, she had playfully asked listeners, "What did I miss?"
Her return coincided with the commemoration of her late mother's birthday. It was the first such occasion since her mother tragically passed away in April.
A heartbroken Ball described how her family felt "bereft" after losing her mother, Julia.
Earlier in March, Ball had announced that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer. She praised her mother's tremendous courage during the difficult time and informed listeners that Roslin would be filling in for some of her Breakfast Show slots to allow her to devote more time to her mother.
Ball shared a moving tribute on social media following her mother's death, writing: "Sleep tight dear Mama." Alongside a photo of her mother in her youth, she wrote, "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."
Ball previously described the period of her mother's cancer diagnosis as "extremely tough."
Her son, Woody Cook, whom she shares with ex-husband Norman Cook, better known as British DJ Fatboy Slim, also shared a tribute on Instagram. "Today I say goodbye to Granny J, thank you for being a wonderful woman," he said, sharing a picture of his grandmother. Cook, who appeared on the Netflix reality series "The Circle" in 2019, also referenced his grandmother's late husband, Rick Peckham, saying, "The only person who always sent me a Valentine's card. I know youâre with Rick now, give him a hug from me."
Last month, Ball was named the highest-paid woman at the BBC, becoming one of four women in the top 10 of the BBC's annual report, alongside Fiona Bruce, Lauren Laverne, and Munchetty.
