Zoe Ball previously shared what it’s really like to work on her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show and, how she manages to be jolly when entertaining the nation so early every weekday morning. The 53-year-old, who has made history as the first female host of the BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows, is currently taking time away from her show for a few weeks, with no reason given for her absence so far.
Opening up about her energetic personality and hosting a three-hour show last year, Zoe said such a move was doable as she genuinely “loves” her job.
She added of her team: “[They] are such a laugh, they’re all half my age, their parents are all younger than me, but you go in and the first thing you do is have a really bad BBC coffee, which is just unforgiveable, frankly.
“But, that’s what we have to do until 6am when the coffee shops open. So we all have a coffee, discuss what everyone has done over the weekend and they’re all such a laugh.”
Speaking on the Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware podcast, the presenter went on to liken her team to “a family” who “know each other so well”. She added: “There’s scandals and gossip and da da da and then we’re like, ‘Oh, come on, lets talk to the nation’.
“And also I’m always gobsmacked about how many people are up at that time of the day, so many people are up, so really you’re paid to play some tunes and chat a bit of nonsense.
“It’s so much fun and as my dad always points out, ‘It’s not a proper job’. So I kind of love it.”
Zoe was replaced by Gabby Logan on Friday and again today by Scott Mills, who will continue to step in for Tuesday’s edition.
Opening the programme on Monday, he said: “Good morning! You weren’t expecting me were you?
“Welcome to Monday, this is Scott Mills.
“If you set your alarm to go off every morning at 6.30 and normally Zoe comes on, please do not freak out, you have not overslept until 2pm, I’m here doing the breakfast show, so do not panic, you’re not late for work.”
He added: “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.”
A reason behind the presenter’s absence is yet to be confirmed, but a BBC representative has shared that Zoe will not be back until September.
Zoe’s break from the show appears to be a last minute decision following her exchange with Will Young last week.
On Thursday, the singer wrote on his Instagram Story: “Jumping in to album release day tomorrow on @bbcradio2. @zoetheball bring your swimmers.”
She responded: “See you at dawn.”
The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show airs weekdays from 6.30am on BBC Radio 2.
