Zoe Ball’s emotional messages to Jamie Theakston and Lauren Laverne as they battle cancer – as Radio 2 star returns
ZOE Ball used her BBC Radio 2 return today to send emotional messages to Jamie Theakston and Lauren Laverne as they battle cancer.
Zoe, 53, is back on air after a six-week hiatus, and she wasted no time sending heartfelt tributes to her friends Jamie Theakston, 53, and Lauren Laverne, 46, both battling the disease.
Lauren revealed her cancer diagnosis last month as she made the brave announcement in an Instagram post from her hospital bed.
And, earlier this week, Jamie revealed he has been diagnosed with stage 1 laryngeal cancer.
The Heart FM host said the disease was spotted by radio listeners after they noticed a change in his voice – leading to him seeking medical advice.
Presenter Zoe shared her well-wishes with listeners, saying: “I must say, while we’re sending some love, our breakfast friend Lauren Laverne, our mate at 6 Music, is currently going through some cancer treatment.
“She’s doing OK, but just wanted to send my love to her.”
Zoe also mentioned her long-time friend Jamie, who is receiving treatment too.
She said: “And my dear Live & Kicking Priory mate, Jamie Theakston, who is also having some treatment for cancer at the moment.
“He’s going to be OK, and he’s doing well. Sending so much love to them. So a lot of the love I got, I’m sending back to them.”
The broadcaster mysteriously “vanished” from her Breakfast show over the summer but returned to the airwaves on Monday and promptly asked fans: “What have I missed?”
This weekend, Zoe’s comeback was confirmed – with the star breaking her silence.
Today, she addressed her loyal listeners with the words: “‘Hello happy wanderers, I’ve wandered back.”
Reassuring those tuning in, she admitted she was “happy” and said: “Morning gorgeous people it’s 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.”
Her comeback track first on the playlist was Earth Wind & Fire’s 1978 tune, September.
Zoe then thanked former BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, who had filled in for her during her absence.
She said: “Thank you Scott Mills for looking after the show for the week – more on that later.
“What have I missed? Text me! Missed ya!”
As the show returned from a news break, she poked fun at her lengthy time off.
Zoe Ball's career so far
Zoe was born in Blackpool and is daughter of the children’s TV presenter Johnny Ball and his wife Julia.
She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children’s show, Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest.
The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays.
After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top of the Pops, when she alternated with the likes of Jayne Middlemiss and Jo Whiley.
In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One‘s saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4.
But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997.
Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post.
The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, where she was succeeded by Sara Cox.
As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both Soapstar Superstar and Grease Is The Word in 2007.
In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as Radio X), when she was the voice of the weekday drivetime show until December 2003. In 2004, she stood in for Ricky Gervais while he filmed the second series of The Office.
In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Ian Waite, The star impressed viewers with her footwork and the duo waltzed into third place.
In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, It Takes Two.
She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries.
After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe announced she was quitting her role on BBC Two in May 2021.
Zoe’s journey in BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries. Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O’Leary, Ken Bruce and Chris Evans.
After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot’s Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm.
In October 2018, Chris Evans moved to Virgin Radio and he personally announced that Zoe would take over his popular slot. She started presenting the breakfast show on 14 January 2019.
The mum-of-two – whose show comeback was officially confirmed by BBC bosses in a rare move – quipped: “It’s me Zo!
“You may remember me from the 90s, yeah I’m back.”
A jubilant fan wrote on X: “Hooray! Zoë Ball is back on the wireless!”
It came after she broke her silence on Sunday ahead of her return to work.
In a social media message she wrote: “Back to breakfast tomorrow morning 6.30.”
“@realscottmills 7 @djspoony thanks for putting in the mega shifts.”
FAMILY FIRST
It came after Zoe’s son Woody candidly opened up as to her whereabouts.
Over the weekend, it was also revealed how the DJ had traded in life in her £2million Sussex mansion to move near to her ex Fatboy Slim, real name Norman Cook, in Brighton and Hove.
Recently, an industry insider broke their silence on her disappearance from the Breakfast Show.
At the time, they claimed “no one knows what’s going on” at Radio 2.
The BBC then released a statement on the broadcaster’s future.
Zoe last appeared on her Breakfast Show on August 8 after a lengthy on-air absence.