Zoe Ball has revealed she is grappling with a new health issue just weeks after making her Radio 2 comeback.
The broadcaster, 54, gave an update during her Saturday afternoon show, telling listeners she has been diagnosed with bursitis, a condition that causes swelling and pain around the joints.
It comes after Ball stepped away from her weekday breakfast slot late last year due to personal health concerns, including a bout of TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), which affects the jaw.
“Yes, it’s come to that,” she told her audience, describing the latest flare-up. “Fifty-four and I got bursitis.”
Bursitis, which involves inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, tendons and muscles, is often brought on by overuse or injury. While the condition typically clears within a few weeks, it can be extremely painful.
Despite the discomfort, Ball is pushing on with her fitness goals and told listeners she has been training with her personal coach, Seth, in a bid to improve her strength.
“Thank you to Seth,” she said. “I found out I’ve got a… what is it? A rating of… was it a four or five on the fitness level?
“I was quite impressed with myself - out of, I think it’s nine or ten. You’ve gotta start somewhere, haven’t you?”
Ball returned to Radio 2 last month.
It followed a period of downtime, which included what she jokingly described as working shifts at her ex-husband Norman Cook’s café. Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, was even namechecked during her new weekend show’s tongue-in-cheek opener.
Spinning Boogie Oogie Oogie by A Taste Of Honey to kick things off, Ball quipped: “Back once again with the ill behaviour.” The line is borrowed from Renegade Master, famously remixed by Cook in 1998.
Reflecting on her Radio 1 roots, she added: “It’s lovely to be back on a Saturday - this is where it all began for me, back in the day when I used to sweep up and make the teas. I used to do early mornings, and then I did the slot where Rylan is.”
Reading messages from fans, Ball admitted she’s been relishing her lie-ins after years of pre-dawn alarms.
“People have learned not to phone me before 9.30am unless I’m doing the school run,” she laughed, moments before fellow presenter Clark made a surprise entrance, delighted to welcome her back.
