Zoe Ball shares special message as she makes BBC Radio 2 return
Zoe Ball has thanked listeners for their support on her return to the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
The broadcaster returned on Monday (23 September) after a long absence, where she also thanked colleagues Scott Mills and DJ Spoony and had messages for two dear friends.
"I just wanna say huge, mega thanks to my friend, the newly-crowned champion of Race Across the World, Scott Mills. Didn't he and Sam do well, I know! I didn't dream in a million years that they would win that," Zoe said in a link shortly after the 8am news.
"You can see why that marriage works so brilliantly, can't you, that relationship. What a series! Scott was so brilliant. I just want to say thank you to him for looking after the show."
She also thanked Spoony for covering Scott Mills' regular show, adding: "Spoony was supposed to go on holiday! He was DJ-ing around the world. He had to change all his plans, he's been an absolute sweetheart.
"Thank you boys, for looking after everybody, and everyone here for being so supportive. And lots of you sent so many messages, listeners, they meant the world. So thank you to you gorgeous ones."
Zoe also took a moment to send well-wishes to friends and fellow broadcasters Lauren Laverne and Jamie Theakston – both of whom have announced cancer diagnoses in recent weeks.
"I must say, actually, while we're mentioning sending some love, our breakfast friends, Lauren Laverne, our mate over 6Music, currently going through some cancer treatment. She's doing okay, but I just wanted to send my whole heart out to her," she told listeners.
"And my dear Live and Kicking and The Priory mate, Jamie Theakston, who's also having some treatment for cancer at the moment and he's gonna be okay and he's doing well.
"I'm sending them both lots and lots of love out there. So a lot of the love I got to me, I send back to them."
Zoe, who hadn't been on air since August 8, had previously announced her return to the Radio 2 breakfast show on social media, writing on Sunday: "Back on breakfast @bbcradio2 tomorrow morning at 6:30."
back on breakfast @bbcradio2 tomorrow morning at 6:30 ♥️
thanks to @scott_mills and @DJSpoony for putting in the mega shifts 💋@TinaDaheley @richie_anderson @mikewills_sport 🪩— Zoe Ball (@ZoeTheBall) September 22, 2024
She also thanked Scott Mills and DC Spoony for "putting in the mega shifts" while she was away.
Radio 2 also confirmed recently that she would be returning later in September.
While filling in for Zoe, Scott Mills joked that fans shouldn't be worried they'd slept in when they heard him presenting in her usual morning slot.
"If you set your alarm every morning to go off at 6.30 and normally Zoe comes on, please do not freak out. You have not overslept," he said in August.
"I'm here doing the Breakfast Show. Do not panic. It's early."
He also voiced his support for Zoe, saying: "I'm sending you all my love Zo, as are the team."
Zoe revealed in March that her mother Julia Peckham had been diagnosed with cancer, and that she would be taking some time off from her radio show. She then announced that Julia had died in April.
In August, she posted a tribute to her mother on Instagram on what would have been her birthday.
"Your beautiful beaming smile shining down on our hearts always but boy, losing you is harder than I could ever have imagined," she said. "Holding on so tight, letting the tears come & wishing on the stars."
The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show airs between 6.30am and 9.30am on BBC Radio 2 every weekday.
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