Zoe Ball’s Secret Health Struggle Triggers ‘Meltdown’ in Front of Millions

Zoe Ball once revealed that her health condition led to a “meltdown” on live television, an emotional moment that resonated with her fans. The 53-year-old Radio 2 presenter, who has been notably absent from her breakfast show recently, shared her experience on Taskmaster’s New Year Treat earlier this year. Appearing on the Channel 4 comedy panel show alongside Deborah Meaden, Kojey Radical, Lenny Rush, and Steve Backshall, Zoe confessed to struggling with one of the tasks.

Recalling the challenge, Zoe admitted, “A particular task involved a bit of timing, which is maths, which is, again, not a strength. I physically started to melt down. That did hurt my head.” The episode shed light on the challenges Zoe faces as someone diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) last year. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects concentration, and behavior, and can lead to hyperactivity, restlessness, and trouble sleeping, told the Mirror.

Zoe went public with her ADHD diagnosis late last year, sharing that her son, Woody, whom she shares with ex-husband Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), also has the condition. In an interview with The Mirror, she said, “I am ADHD. My son and I are both, we’re quite similar. I make myself laugh sometimes because if I’m in a small space and I’ve got loads of tasks to do, I can cover so many miles.” She described her brain as “all over the shop,” reflecting on how the condition impacts her daily life.

“My family, they laugh because they’ll find things of mine in certain places and they’re like, ‘If you follow this, you’ll see what Mum was trying to achieve’. I have 18 pairs of glasses, and I will still lose all of them… my brain is just all over the goddamn shop,” Zoe humorously remarked.

Zoe’s absence from her Radio 2 breakfast show has sparked concern among fans. Earlier this year, her mother, Julie Peckham, was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away just weeks later. Zoe took a break from her show to grieve, with Gaby Roslin stepping in temporarily.

Although Zoe returned to the airwaves in August, she only stayed for four days before taking another leave of absence. Scott Mills, who usually presents the 2-4 pm slot, stepped in last minute, reassuring listeners, “If you’ve just put us on this morning, it’s Scott Mills in for Zoe for the next few weeks. I’m sending you all my love, Zo’, as are the team.”