Zoe Ball frenzy

[dk1]

Could somebody explain all this fuss over Zoe Ball having a few weeks off from her R2 breakfast show? Some of the media outlets seem to be obsessed with it.

What business is it of anybody but her as to why she's had an extended break?

 

[Gloster]

It is the BBC so some of the papers have a vested interest in pretending that something is happening that shows that it is out of touch, wasting taxpayers’ money, defying the will of the people, etc. It is all part of their campaign to nobble a competitor that is seen seen as the basis of industry standards that they would like to ignore.

 

[randyrippley]

If she's absent, I welcome it.
She's noisy, boring and irrelevant. And seriously overpaid

 

[Acey]

If she's absent, I welcome it.
She's noisy, boring and irrelevant. And seriously overpaid

Couldn't have put it better !

 

[dk1]

I do like her and always have. Good luck to her when it comes to her salary. Just think it’s out of order the way the likes of Manchester Evening News has constantly speculated day after day.

 

[AlterEgo]

I do like her and always have. Good luck to her when it comes to her salary. Just think it’s out of order the way the likes of Manchester Evening News has constantly speculated day after day.

She's a woman, of course she will be questioned and criticised more.

 

[dk1]

She's a woman, of course she will be questioned and criticised more.

Not sure why that would be.

 

[AlterEgo]

Not sure why that would be.

It's because we live in a sexist society where the choices of women are questioned more than the choices of men. I don't think it is really that complicated. That is why the media have a thing about Zoe Ball. Her age plays a part too; wouldn't happen if she was 25.

 

[dk1]

It's because we live in a sexist society where the choices of women are questioned more than the choices of men. I don't think it is really that complicated. That is why the media have a thing about Zoe Ball. Her age plays a part too; wouldn't happen if she was 25.

None of that matters to me hence why I questioned it.

 

[nr758123]

Just think it’s out of order the way the likes of Manchester Evening News has constantly speculated day after day.

One of Retch plc's so-called local so-called newspapers that now consists mainly of celebrity clickbait. This sort of nonsense is their replacement for local news reporting.

 

[dk1]

One of Retch plc's so-called local so-called newspapers that now consists mainly of celebrity clickbait. This sort of nonsense is their replacement for local news reporting.

It really has gone downhill. Complete clickbait and no credibility.

 

[Trackman]

Off on a tangent, was channel hopping the other day and her dad Johnny Ball was on that Richard Osman quiz thingy. He's nearing 90, but was still as bright as a button and looked very well. For me, Johnny Ball is worth 5,000 times more than Zoe Ball. Or even more.

 

[Towers]

It's because we live in a sexist society where the choices of women are questioned more than the choices of men. I don't think it is really that complicated. That is why the media have a thing about Zoe Ball. Her age plays a part too; wouldn't happen if she was 25.

What are the “choices” she has made which are being so strongly scrutinised? I genuinely have no idea!

 

[AlterEgo]

What are the “choices” she has made which are being so strongly scrutinised? I genuinely have no idea!

To take leave from her show. It’s not really any of our business, although the media would like to think otherwise.

 

[Towers]

To take leave from her show. It’s not really any of our business, although the media would like to think otherwise.

I’m not sure that’s something that is happening because she’s female? She’s a very high profile radio presenter and by definition a significant presence in her regular listeners’ lives. I’m fairly sure any sudden period of leave would lead to gossip regardless of who the presenter was?

 

[AlterEgo]

I’m not sure that’s something that is happening because she’s female? She’s a very high profile radio presenter and by definition a significant presence in her regular listeners’ lives. I’m fairly sure any sudden period of leave would lead to gossip regardless of who the presenter was?

I’d pay money to live in a world where I didn’t think sexism existed.

 

[Towers]

Post deleted as, ultimately, it was off topic and at risk of derailing the thread.

 

[AlterEgo]

I think it’s incredible you hold Katie Price and Caroline Flack up as proof sexism isn’t a female-specific issue. Those two women are some of the most notable victims of it - especially when we are talking about the media sensationalising women’s choices and circumstances.

Sexism might be a two way street but the traffic flow is mostly in one direction.

 

[Towers]

I think we’re at risk of ending up well off topic here, so I’ll leave it at that. I hope Zoe Ball is well, whatever the reason for her absence.

 

[nw1]

She had a similar leave of absence earlier in the year and I understand, directly from R2, it was for perfectly legitimate personal reasons. Quite probably the same applies now, too.

 

[Towers]

She had a similar leave of absence earlier in the year and I understand, directly from R2, it was for perfectly legitimate personal reasons. Quite probably the same applies now, too.

I’m sure she’ll provide some details as appropriate and when she feels the time is right; it should, of course, be her choice and hers alone when that may be.

 

[jon0844]

For me, Johnny Ball is worth 5,000 times more than Zoe Ball. Or even more.

Is there some sort of competition going on that I'm not aware of? Do you think he feels the same way?

 

[dk1]

Is there some sort of competition going on that I'm not aware of? Do you think he feels the same way?

Of course he doesn’t.

 

[Harpo]

Zoe Ball, Gary Lineker etc., are used as anti-BBC fodder by the UK’s press because their owners detest the Beeb and its funding model.

The outing of the Beeb’s high earners by publishing salaries has achieved nothing except to give it’s opponents yet more ammo.

 

[Brush 4]

Her earlier leave this year was because her Mum died. Not sure about the more recent one.