Zoe Ball's Radio 2 co-star comments on her changed appearance after weeks away

Zoe Ball's BBC Radio 2 colleagues were delighted to have her back on air this morning.

The presenter had been missing for six weeks after suddenly and mysteriously withdrawing from her day job without warning back in August. In her absence Scott Mills - who she described as a 'dear friend' - filled in for her presenting the Breakfast Show slot which Zoe, 53, has held since taking over from Chris Evans in 2019.

Making a comeback this morning, Zoe breezily addressed her time away as she called herself a 'happy wanderer.'

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Radio 2 news presenter Tina Daheley and travel reporter Richie Anderson welcomed Zoe back with open arms. The trio joked they had 'so much gossip' to catch up on - most of which would be reserved for off air conversations.

Tina then told Zoe she was looking incredible after six weeks off. It came after Zoe joked that she had not been in Turkey having her 'teeth and face done' while taking a break from her £950,000 a year role.

"You do look great though, " Tina observed, as she admired Zoe's rested look.

READ MORE: Radio 2's Zoe Ball returns to air and immediately addresses sudden six week absence

Speaking to fans at the top of the show at 6.30am she said: "Morning gorgeous people its me Zoe the happy wanderer. I've wandered back. How was your Brat summer? Was it marvellous? We did that in the 90s it was called something different then. I hope you've been enjoying some of the gorgeous sunsets over the last few weeks. It's a tad soggy our end this morning. Take it easy out on the road," she added.

The presenter then said thanks to 'dear friend' Scott Mills for looking after the show when she was off saying 'but more on that later.'

"What have I missed? Text me. I've missed ya," she added. A number of Zoe's listeners took to social media to say they were just as pleased to have her back in the hotseat as the presenter thanked them for their kind words.

Zoe is yet to comment on her reasons for taking the six week break. Earlier this year she had taken some time off for a summer break.

It's been a turbulent year for the star who in April announced her mother had died just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. “We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other," Zoe said.

It was also reported she has recently sold her £2million country pile and moved closer to her ex Norman Cook aka Fatboy slim. It is believed she moved to a townhouse between Brighton and Hove, near her DJ ex Norman - the father of her two children - from whom she separated in 2016 and divorced in 2020. Some sources close to the much-loved presenter have suggested that the change represents a "new start" for the radio host, who split from her partner Michael Reed last year after more than five years together.