Zoe Ball has addressed her absence from BBC Radio 2 and thanked music icon Nicki Chapman for stepping in to cover her.
The veteran broadcaster often wakes the nation up from 6.30am with a string of upbeat songs and A-list interviews but she was noticeably absent on Thursday.
Zoe, 52, has fronted her daily programme since January 2019 but often takes time out for other jobs across the BBC.
Today, she revealed she was on an important business trip ahead of the Coronation of King Charles next month.
Taking to her Twitter page in view of her 405,900 followers, the broadcaster explained that she had swapped London for the idyllic countryside.
She said: "Thanks to @Nicki_Chapman for breakfasting today.
"We're in Gloucestershire making a special show about The Kings Garden @highgrovegarden.
"(Coming soon to @BBCRadio2).
Meanwhile, Nicki also tweeted: "Morning Just for today sitting in for the lovely Zo as she’s at Highgrove filming something v special. My lips are sealed! Join me for the Breakfast Show @BBCRadio2."
The announcement that Nicki would be standing in was warmly welcomed by regular listeners who flocked to social media, with one writing: "Fab show this morning Nicki."
"Morning Chappers, nice to hear your voice," said a second.
Before a third went on to add: "Morning Gorgeous Nicki. Great to hear you. You've been missed.!!! Have a great day."
Zoe's absence comes just a day after her son, Woody, told the Mirror he has no plans to follow in her footsteps and land a job at the station.
He explained: "No, no, my music style is a bit different, I couldn't play the stuff they play on primetime slots, not to be rude to anyone who enjoys it, it's not my kind of music.
"I feel like I'd go slightly nuts if I had to listen to the same pop stuff that you get a lot of the time there. When I was a kid, I used to listen to Terry Wogan on BBC Radio 2 on the way to school.
"I'm not in enough on celeb culture, everyone is always talking about what Harry is up to, both the Prince and the Styles – it's not my kind of scene."
He later admitted that waking up at 4.30am every day was not something that appealed to him.
Although he went on to praise his mum for her job, explaining that she is the "aunt" of the whole country who is often there to chat with people.
