Fans tuning into Zoe Ball's Breakfast Show were given a shock on Thursday morning.
Radio royalty Tony Blackburn took over instead with fans puzzled by her absence having made a return to the show only last week. They had heard Tony fight back the tears as he signed off his last radio show after 43 years on Monday, but he was back on the airwaves all of a sudden after playing his emotional final song earlier this week.
Much-loved Zoe revealed earlier this month that her mother had been diagnosed with advanced cancer and she was taking some time out as the family rally around. She returned to the airwaves last week before needed a little help this morning - and there's few better that Tony to hold the fort.
The legendary broadcaster took a week off work to look after her mum Julia with Gaby Roslin taking over for her while she was out of work to spend time with her loved ones. Fans will thrilled to hear Tony - just days after presenting what he said his final BBC local radio show after 43 years.
Zoe's absence this morning brought a shock return for Tony BlackburnThe BBC said: "Tony has just taken over the controls in the studio and is now broadcasting live on Radio 2, playing just 60s tracks like he played to listeners all those years ago on Radio Caroline." Tony, who was the first DJ on BBC Radio 1 when it launched back in 1967, told listeners he was happy to be helping out as they flooded social media with messages on his unexpected comeback.
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He said: "We are back, the pirates are back! Zoe Ball has been locked out of the studio. I’m here, anarchy once again. We ARE pirates, we’re pirate Radio 2 and here we go, and for the next hour I’m going to play you proper music! Here it is!” Listeners all of course hope it won't be long until Zoe is back at her desk after her return.
She told listeners: "It's me! I've missed you all, I've been looking after my dear ma but back to bother you though." She went on to give an update on Julia and explained that the family would be spending more time with one another. "Sadly, heartbreakingly her cancer is quite advanced but we're just making lots of lovely memories," she went on.
Zoe went on to add: "It's wonderful to be back in the seat. Thank you so much for all your lovely messages about my mum, she's listening this morning. She's doing OK and I'm sending out so much love to lots of people looking after us. "There's a very nice pair of chaps called Vic and Tom who took us to A&E in an ambulance last week. My mum and I had never been in an ambulance before. It was fascinating stuff.
Tony said an emotional goodbye on Monday - and now he's back on the air (BBC)"There was an amazing team at A&E, all of them doing such an amazing week. I've met some lovely people after going in and out of hospitals for the past few weeks. Many of you have been telling me your own stories about loved ones and your own cancer stories so thank you for sharing. Those messages have meant so much, I've been reading them out to my my mum."
Tony has been a permanent fixture on the airwaves for BBC Berkshire, Oxford and Solent, but is now hanging up his headphones to concentrate on other projects, including work on Radio 2. As he played his final record, 'You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine', the much-loved DJ said: "You’ll never find another laugh like mine...43 years on BBC local radio and that’s it as far as I’m concerned. Thank you so much. I want to thank you very much indeed for listening to me over the years. It’s been a pleasure being here and I look forward to being with you in other places.
"Once again thanks very much indeed for all the memories and all the lovely music, I hope you’ve enjoyed the music I’ve brought you on Sunday afternoons. From me Tony Blackburn to BBC Local Radio, bye bye." Tony originally announced his decision to leave his local radio programme after 14 years last month. Taking to X, he wrote: "Hi there, just wanted to let you know that I have decided to end my BBC Local Radio Sunday afternoon show that goes out on @BBCBerkshire, @BBCOxford, @BBCRadioSolent and @BBCSounds."
Announcing his last show would be in March, he told fans he would be focusing on his Radio 2 gigs as well as an exciting theatre tour, revealing: "My last show will be on March 24th. I have been a part of the Berkshire lineup since 2012 and have loved doing the show bringing music from the 50s up to the present day. I have loved the callers and the fun we’ve some stage I might come back to BBC Local Radio but, for now, I’m going to focus on my @BBCRadio2 shows, Sounds Of The Sixties and the Golden Hour and my theatre tour which comes back in March."
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