BBC breaks silence over Zoe Ball's absence from Radio 2 show as fans fear she is leaving the station

Ball, 53, is normally in the studio from 6.30am on weekday, but has been absent from the breakfast slot for the past five weeks. Scott Mills and Gaby Roslin have been stepping in for Ball during her hiatus, but fans have become increasingly concerned that Ball may quit the show altogether.

Some fans were concerned that Ball may be quitting the show, with one saying: "That's now 5 weeks that he's [Scott Mills] covered for her. I feel an announcement is coming that Scott will have the breakfast show full-time. Hope Zoe is ok."

However, the BBC has now issued a statement in which it confirmed that the radio presenter will in fact be returning to the breakfast slot. A spokesman for the broadcaster told the Express: "Zoe will return to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show later this month." Ball’s last time on-air came on August 8. It marked her first show back following another lengthy absence after the death of her mother Julia Peckham. Peckham died following a 12-week battle with cancer.

In a social media post in which she revealed her mother had passed away, Ball said: “Forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic & love. missing you so much but holding tight to each other.”

The Radio 2 star’s August 8 show was her last before she was temporary replaced once again. Although a reason for her absence hasn’t been confirmed, replacement host Mills said on-air on August 12: "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."