Zoe Ball's BBC Radio 2 return date confirmed as she's seen for first time since exit

The presenter sparked concern among fans after taking an unexpected break from the show since August 8

Zoe Ball is set to make a comeback to her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show after a seven-week break. Scheduled for the BBC reveal she will return on Monday, September 23.

It comes as the radio presenter was spotted for the first time since her exit outside a cafe in Hove with a group of people - including her ex Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim. Scott Mills, who has been filling in for her, will bbe returning to his afternoon slot on the same day.

Zoe has been off the air since August 8, with fans expressing their concerns online. Scott began Zoe's show on Monday without mentioning his missing co-host. While covering her show on August 12, he sent a supportive message to Zoe, informing listeners of his unexpected takeover.

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"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," he reassured listeners.

"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."

Fans and colleagues have expressed concern for Zoe. Before her break in August, Zoe enjoyed a holiday to Ibiza with her son Woody and daughter Nelly and attended Brighton Pride.

She returned to work for three days before leaving the show again. Zoe, 53, has been notably silent on social media, with her last Instagram post dating back to August 5.

The post included a photo of her with her two children, captioned 'jet lagged, brighton pride lagged [and] ibiza lagged'.

A BBC source revealed to The Mail on Sunday: "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."