Radio 2 listeners were taken by surprise this morning when they heard an unexpected voice on the BBC Breakfast Show.
Scott Mills, filling in for Zoe Ball, sparked concern when he revealed that the usual host would be away “for weeks” and sent the team’s love to her.
At the start of the show at 6.30am, the 53-year-old was noticeably absent, with Mills stepping up to the microphone in her place.
Introducing Monday’s show, Mills began: “Good Morning. You weren’t expecting me were you? Welcome to Monday. It’s Scott Mills.”
Addressing the confusion, he continued: “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.
“I’m here doing the Breakfast Show do not panic. It’s early. You aren’t late for work. It’s Monday 12th August.”
Following the 8am news bulletin, the broadcaster once again addressed filling for Ball and said: “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.”
The BBC have since confirmed to the Standard that Ball will not return to her morning show until September.
This comes after Ball also missed Friday’s show at the last minute, despite assuring her followers on social media the night before that she would be hosting, saying: “See you at dawn.”
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Instead, fans tuning in were greeted by stand-in Gaby Roslin.
Neither Roslin or Mills have shared the reason for Ball’s sudden absence.
The radio broadcaster had only returned to her BBC show on Monday August 5 after a lengthy break.
Returning to the airwaves last week, she joked: “What did I miss?”
Ball’s return came just days after she shared an emotional tribute to her late mother, marking what would have been her “heavenly” birthday—the first since her passing in April.
The BBC star opened up about the immense grief her family has been enduring, saying they were “bereft” following the loss of her mother Julia.
Earlier in March, the presenter revealed that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer and was showing “incredible bravery” throughout her battle.
At the time, she informed listeners that Roslin would occasionally step in on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show so she could spend precious time with her mother, who was eventually moved to a hospice.
Announcing her mother’s passing in April, she shared a younger photo of her mother to Instagram and penned: “Sleep tight dear Mama.
“Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts. We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other.”