Zoe Ball: BBC Radio 2 host set to return to Breakfast Show on Monday after six-week absence

The broadcaster, who has been grieving the death of her mother, Julia Peckham, took time off in August, leaving fans concerned about her well-being.

BBC insiders have now confirmed that Ball, the BBC’s highest-paid female star earning £950,000 a year, will reclaim her role from colleague Scott Mills, who has been temporarily filling in. “Zoe’s been through a lot lately, but she’s battled through and is keen to get back to work,” a source told The Sunday Mirror. “Scott’s done a great job, but the team are looking forward to welcoming Zoe back.”

Ball’s absence was originally tied to the passing of her mother, who died from pancreatic cancer earlier this year. The BBC had given Ball "all the time she needed" to cope with the loss. However, questions surrounding her absence intensified when it was revealed that Ball sold her countryside home in Newick, Sussex, which she had purchased for £2,025,000 in 2020. The 53-year-old has since relocated to a townhouse between Brighton and Hove, near her ex-husband, DJ Norman Cook, also known as Fatboy Slim.

Sources close to the presenter have also suggested that the move marks a "new start" for Ball, who has been single since her split from model Michael Reed last year. "Zoe obviously got fed up with life in the country and wanted to move to somewhere a bit more lively," a source familiar with her situation told the outlet. "She has been really engrossed in making her new house just as she wants it."

Ball was recently spotted at Brighton’s Churchill Square shopping centre, surprising onlookers who had been wondering about her whereabouts. "Everyone has been wondering where she has been, and then there she was, right in front of my eyes," one shopper reportedly said.

While Scott Mills has been leading the breakfast show in Ball’s absence, he has not directly addressed her situation, although he did express support for her during an August 12 broadcast. Fans of the presenter have flooded social media with concerned messages, but the BBC has only confirmed that she will return later this month.

In a rare public comment, Ball’s son Woody Cook, 23, revealed to MailOnline that he has been spending more time with his mother during this difficult period. "My mum and I like to keep our private lives to ourselves, but I will say I’ve stepped up and spent a lot more time with her recently. I’m glad to see her smiling," he said.

Before her departure, Ball enjoyed a family holiday in Ibiza with Woody and her daughter Nelly and attended Brighton Pride. She returned to her radio show for a brief period before taking time off again.

BBC bosses are reportedly doing "everything they can" to support her transition back to work as Ball prepares for her return.