Zoe Ball pulls out of comic relief as she tests positive for Covid

Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball is replaced by Alesha Dixon after a positive Covid test forced her to leave Comic Relief

Zoe Ball will no longer present tonight’s comic relief after a positive Covid test forced her to pull out.

She will be replaced on the BBC One Fundraising Show by Alesha Dixon.

The Radio 2 presenter, 51, told fans she would “fall on the last hurdle” and must miss the broadcast after a positive Lateral Flow Test this morning.

Britain’s Got Talent Judge Alesha will step in to help raise funds for the cause instead.

Zoe wrote on Instagram: “Pook! Fell on the last hurdle and had positive lat flows this am- nooooooooo – wonderful @aleshaofficial will work the double shift on @ComicRelief tonight, I owe the lady love.

“Good luck to Lenny, David, @ mcguinness.paddy, @ajodudu, @vernonkay, and the @comicrelief gang, so many great treats tonight.”

But Zoe said she would watch from home instead of thrilling everyone.

She added: “I will look after & support from bed (probably in full makeup, outfit, heels and all) could invite @joeldommett via #sickbay”

Comedian Joel Dommett joked: “NO! You already did the nails !! Quiet .. You will feel good in a few days! Xxx “

While reading a comment from the official Comic Relief account: “Send all our love to you Zoe, we love you “

And one of her fans pointed out, “Can’t believe you’ve crazy ‘about catching it on the air the next day! #Jinx Better very soon Zoe!”

Joel was also forced out of the show after catching the coronavirus.

The Masked Singer presenter was hired to host the charity event alongside Zoe, Lenny Henry, David Tennant, AJ Odudu, Paddy McGuinness and others.

He told fans earlier this week: “Super annoyed to announce that I have the vid. This unfortunately means I have to get out of hosting @comicrelief.

“My incredible replacement is the better looking, more talented @vernonkay who is Ace. I look forward to donating a lot of money from home like everyone else!”

Comic Relief starts this evening at 7pm on BBC One and runs until 10pm.

It will feature a special edition of The Repair Shop featuring Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Dame Judi Dench, a special sketch featuring Kylie Minogue and The Fall of Ghosts, Jack Whitehall taking over miniature golf and an adult bedtime story by Stephen Fry, Sue Perkins and others .