Zoe has been taking time off (Image: BBC/Sarah Jeynes)

BBC Radio 2 Zoe Ball's cryptic family message before vanishing amid 'concern'

Zoe Ball has been absent from her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show for the past six weeks and her loyal listeners are becoming increasingly concerned about her whereabouts.

by · Daily Record

Zoe Ball has been noticeably absent from her regular slot on BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show, where she's been a staple for the past five years, waking up the nation at 6.30am.

However, since August 8, Zoe, 53, hasn't graced the airwaves, leaving fans missing her presence over the last six weeks. In her absence, Scott Mills and Gaby Roslin have been keeping her seat warm during the morning show.

Recently, Zoe was seen for the first time since her break, enjoying some downtime at a café in Hove with friends, including her former husband Norman Cook according to reports in the Mirror.

Reflecting on her life back in 2023, Zoe had shared insights into the value she places on family and friends during an intimate conversation on the Table Manners podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware.

She discussed the challenges of being in the public eye, acknowledging that she can find herself "annoying" at times and bracing for the inevitable criticism from listeners on social media platforms.

Zoe will be back next week (Image: BBC)

Zoe expressed her approach to online negativity, saying: "You have to protect yourself slightly. With socials and stuff, I have a Twitter account but I tend to use it for work. You only have to read one comment that can send you down such a... because people feel, at times, like they want to tell you terrible things."

The 53-year-old spoke touching words about how her family and friends help her stay grounded amidst all the backlash, stating: "You have to believe in yourself but also the most important thing, and you'll find this too, is your family and friends. And I love that my mates are like, 'just take the mickey out of me' and your kids just bring you back down to earth."

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She added, discussing the fleeting nature of celebrity status, "And that's kind of what life is about, your friends and family. And I'm really lucky to be doing a job, and still be doing it 30 years later. I could be cancelled at any moment, it's a risk every morning. You are only one sentence away from cancelling yourself."

The broadcaster's extended absence has not gone unnoticed by her fans, with many taking to social media to voice their concern. A concerned fan posted on Twitter: "What has happened to Zoe Ball? She's been off the radio for five weeks in total - no mention of her whatsoever the last few weeks. I hope she's ok." While another expressed: "I hope #ZoeBall is OK."

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The mystery deepens within Zoe's professional circle where, according to a BBC insider speaking to Mail Online over the weekend, even colleagues are uncertain. A source said: "Nobody knows what has happened but everyone loves Zoe. We hope everything is okay. Zoe is so loved at the BBC so to not have her around is really noticeable."

BBC listings indicate that Zoe is set to resume her duties next Monday and Scott Mills will be back in the afternoon slot. A BBC Radio 2 representative confirmed, "Zoe will return to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show later this month."

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