Zoe Ball has reportedly sold her £2m countryside home as the mystery around her unexplained absence from BBC Radio 2 continues.
The presenter has not fronted her usual weekday breakfast show since August 8 and was recently seen outside a cafe in Hove with her ex-husband Norman Cook.
Gaby Roslin and Scott Mills have both deputised for Ball in recent weeks.
But while the reason and timeframe for her absence has remained unexplained, she will reportedly be back on air next Monday, September 23.
According to MailOnline, Ball is mourning her mother who was diagnosed with cancer back in March.
Ball was devastated by the loss, sharing a heart-breaking tribute to her online. It read: "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. Your grace and your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us.”
Ball had also taken some time out from her radio show earlier this year to get emergency dental care
She and Cook, who DJs as Fatboy Slim, separated in 2016 having had two children together.
Her son Woody Cook recently told the Mirror: "My mum and I like to keep our private lives to ourselves but I will say I have stepped up and spent a lot more time with her recently as she has always been there when I've had tough times. I'm glad to see her smiling."
Ball is believed to have sold her countryside home in Newick, Sussex, after buying it for more than £2m in 2020.
It is understood her new abode will be closer to where Cook lives in Brighton.
Mills told listeners on 12 August: “If you set your alarm every morning to go off at 6.30am and normally Zoe comes on, please do not freak out.
In Ball’s absence, Mills interviewed Janet Jackson on the show.
To his surprise, the 58-year-old performer confirmed not only her connection to Stevie Wonder but also said she is cousins with both Tracy Chapman and Samuel L Jackson.
