Zoe Ball makes heartbreaking confession after long-awaited return to BBC Radio 2

BBC star Zoe Ball has confessed she has had no choice but to listen to "green noise" in order to get a decent night's sleep since returning to her popular Radio 2 breakfast show. On Monday, the 53-year-old presenter was welcomed by fans following her six-week absence.

As she reclaimed her desk, Zoe sweetly asked listeners: "What have I missed?" Before proceeding to discuss the recent downpour.

Overnight the heavens opened and left mass flooding up and down the country. Zoe was heard chatting with co-stars Richie Anderson and Tina Daheley and said: "I fall asleep listening to green noise.

"I used to listen to brown noise, you know white noise! Supposedly you can listen to them wherever you get your music from, green music is water-based I think!" Before adding: "Rivers, brooks and sometimes the rain, although I do worry it makes me need the loo more often!"

Green noise is a variant of white noise and emphasises the mid-frequency range, creating a more balanced and natural sound as opposed to synthetic noises.

Afternoon presenter Scott Mills stepped into her shoes to host the flagship show following Zoe's absence, despite still not disclosing why she needed the time off.

Zoe claimed that she felt "super grateful to be there" after spending most of the summer away from her desk. Before her long-awaited return, she had not presented the programme since August 8.

Taking to social media, the star shared a sweet image of herself surrounded by her crew marking the occasion.

She told her 732,000 Instagram followers: "Grand to be back today with this cracking crew @bbcradio2 Big thanks to our awesome listeners for the lovely kind messages.

"Picture masterfully captured by @sarahjennings_photography (after some hefting wrangling) missing @tinadaheley @mikewills_sport and @thepatrickt who's gone to get married love you @realscottmills & @djspoony," she continued.

Zoe's followers leapt to the comments section, gushing over the DJ, with one penning in the comments section: "Yay! We all missed you! So lovely to hear you back!."

"So glad to hear you this morning. Even my 10y son said 'Ahh Zoe's back!' as though all was right with the world," added a second user. A third said: "Ahhh, everything was right again this morning. Loved Scott Mills but it's so great to hear your voice again, we missed you."

She appeared grateful for Race Across the World winner Scott, 53, for keeping her seat warm and said thank you for "looking after the show".

While also referring to Heart's Jamie Theakston and Lauren Laverne saying she was "sending lots of love" who are both battling cancer.