BBC Radio 2 viewers were left concerned for Zoe Ball’s welfare today after she pulled out of her breakfast show midway it though due to a mystery illness.
Before her abrupt exit, Zoe, 51, arrived 25 minutes late for her show after stand-in presenter Richie Anderson explained her lateness was due to a flat tyre.
She later left the show and Richard said she’d gone home because she was “not feeling well”.
Concerned listeners rushed to Twitter to speculate over the reasons for Zoe’s absence.
One said: “Well in @richie_anderson holding the Radio 2 fort this morning. Hope@ZoeTheBall is ok – she just vanished off air!
(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Another said: “@ZoeTheBall Love you Zoe, hope you’re okay!”
A third added: “She sounded quite chipper when she first got in. Now they haven’t said why she’s gone again. I hope she hasn’t had bad news.”
A representative of BBC Radio 2 said: “Zoe was taken unwell during her show so headed home. Richie Anderson took over and Ken Bruce took over from Richie at 0830.”
Richie, who is normally does travel bulletins on Zoe’s show, told listeners at the start of the programme: “Sorry if I’ve given you the shock of your life.
“Quite obviously, I am not Zoe Ball. It is me, Richie Anderson, hello, and I have some news to share.
(Image: bbc)
“They’ve finally given me the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. Hurrah! It’s what we’ve always wanted. This is for us!”
He added: “No, I’m joking – Zoe Ball has a flat tyre, but she’s on her way.”
When Zoe arrived to take over at 6.54am, she joked to Richie: “Oh no, he’s really annoyed. She’s out of the cupboard!
“Yay, you’re back…” Richard replied.
Zoe then told him: “I’ve just found this massive nail in the tire of my car, Richie Anderson.”
She later thanked Richard for filling in, as he gave listeners an update on the roads.
At 6.55am Zoe explained her absence, saying: “Morning gang, sorry for being late. Bit of a drama on a Monday morning, nothing like that to start you off on your week. Richie, what a star.”
But at 7.47am Richard was back on the microphone without providing an explanation for where Zoe had suddenly gone – but at 8.05am he told how Zoe’s absence was due to an illness
He said: “It’s me, Richie Anderson and I’m in because Zoe’s not feeling too well unfortunately, so she’s had to go home.”
Daily Star Online has contacted Zoe for comment.
Zoe caught Covid on Friday March 18, causing her to pull out of presenting her radio show and hosting the annual BBC Comic Relief TV show.
She told her Instagram followers at the time, writing: “Pook! Fell at last hurdle and have had positive lat flows this am – noooooooo…”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
