Zoe Ball's Radio 2 colleagues speak out about her absence from breakfast show

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball is due to return to her Breakfast Show slot next week after taking a six-week break, but some of her colleagues have been left in the dark

Radio presenter Zoe Ball has been notably absent from her Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 for six weeks, leaving some colleagues in the dark about the reason behind her disappearance.

The beloved broadcaster, aged 53, was last heard on her show on August 8, and in her absence, presenters such as Scott Mills and Gaby Roslin have stepped in. Zoe is scheduled to make her return next Monday, although she has not personally commented on her comeback.

Details regarding Zoe's sudden leave are scarce, with a member of Zoe's team remarking to journalists: "This is all very tricky."

Meanwhile, Zoe's son Woody recently addressed the situation, stating to a reporter: "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."

As Zoe's fans await her return, they've shared their concern on social media for the star, who holds the title of the BBC's highest-paid woman with an annual salary of £950,000. Some speculate that Zoe may be grappling with the loss of her mother Julia Peckham, who passed away suddenly from cancer in April, reports the Mirror.

According to reports, Zoe Ball, who recently sold her Sussex countryside home for over £2 million, has relocated. The Daily Mail suggests that she has moved into a townhouse situated between Brighton and Hove, conveniently close to her ex-husband DJ Norman Cook's residence.

This week, Zoe was spotted for the first time since taking a break from her Radio 2 duties with Norman.

Speculations are rife that this move signifies a "fresh start" for Zoe, following her split from model boyfriend Michael Reed last year. An insider told the Mail: "Zoe obviously got fed up with life in the country and wanted to move to somewhere a bit more lively."

Zoe's absence from Radio 2, where she has been a regular voice since 2006, has undoubtedly caused concern among listeners and colleagues alike.

A fellow presenter at the station told the Daily Mail that Zoe is one of the hardest working presenters, on air five days a week from 6.30am to 9.30am. They revealed to the Mail: "Zoe's show is like a television show, really. Guests still actually go into the studio rather than have a quick chat on Zoom so she has to be fully present and look the part."

"She is up so early and she has a long journey in. She is up at 3am, and travels into London. You compare that to some of the other BBC employees, they have a couple of shows each week and go home again. We have been very concerned about her and hope that she is OK."

As we reported yesterday, Zoe was spotted in the company of several individuals, including Norman Cook, outside a cafe in Hove on Sunday. Onlookers claim that the popular broadcaster spent slightly more than an hour at the location.

Images reveal her engaging in lively conversation and sharing laughs with the group before taking a stroll along the beachfront.