Zoe Ball has had to pull out of Comic Relief's big telethon hours before its due to air. The BBC Radio 2 presenter revealed the news on Friday morning as she was due to be part of that evening's night’s star-studded presenting line-up, alongside Sir Lenny Henry, David Tennant and Paddy McGuinness.
But Zoe, 51, has become the latest star to test positive for coronavirus after Joel Dommett was also forced off the hosting line-up for the Red Nose Day charity show The presenter said on Twitter: "Pook ! fell at last hurdle and have had positive lat flows this am – noooooooo – gorgeous @AleshaOfficial is going to work the double shift tonight on @ComicRelief, i owe you lady love – good luck to A, Lenny, David, Paddy, AJ, Vernon, & the @comicrelief gang."
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In a second tweet, she said: “There are so many brilliant treats in store tonight. I’ll be watching & supporting from bed (probably in full make up, outfit, heels and all) might invite @joeldommett over #sickbay COMIC RELIEF @BBCOne 7pm #rednoseday."
Comedian and The Masked Singer hos Joel was forced to pull out of presenting late-night show The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon alongside AJ Odudu after also returning a positive test earlier this week.
Announcing the news, Joel shared two photos of the full Comic Relief presenting panel to his Instagram, one with his face crossed out and another with his 'better looking, more talented' replacement's' face photoshopped onto his.
He wrote: "Super annoyed to report that I have the vid. This unfortunately means I have to pull out of hosting @comicrelief. My incredible replacement is the better looking, more talented @vernonkay who is ace. I’ll be watching from home donating loads of money like everyone else!"
Popstar Kylie Minogue was also due to appear in a sketch with the cast of BBC comedy Ghosts but said on Thursday night (March 17) that she would be watching from home after catching the virus.
The main show will be broadcast from the BBC studios in Salford for the first time with Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders among the stars taking part.
Jack Whitehall will also participate in a game of mini-golf with footballers Declan Rice and Mason Mount.
The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon airs on BBC One and iPlayer at 10.35pm on Friday with The Red Nose Day Comic Relief TV special broadcasting from 7pm.
