BBC star replaced last minute on Radio 2 as health struggles force her off-air

BBC star replaced last minute on Radio 2 as health struggle forces her off-air (Image: BBC)

BBC Radio 2 listeners were expecting to listen to the voice of Nicki Chapman on Sunday Love Songs this morning, which was made famous by the late Steve Wright, who died earlier this year.

However, Nicki was replaced at the last minute by actress and broadcaster Angela Griffin. Nicki confirmed her absence via her Instagram page this morning.

Explaining the schedule shake-up, Nicki revealed she had unfortunately lost her voice, making presenting the radio impossible. The BBC star, 57, shared a selfie from home to give an update on her health issues.

She captioned the solemn photo: "Silence is not golden… can I just say. Apologies, I won’t be joining you on R2 this morning because I’ve lost my voice. Careless I know.

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"Went down with a cold on Monday & by Wednesday evening (sounds like a Craig David track) my voice began to croak. Left the party & went to bed at 9.30 pm thinking it would pass. Alas not."

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Nicki Chapman shared that she'd lost her voice (Image: INSTAGRAM)

Thanking Angela for stepping in, Nicki added: "Massive thanks to @theangelagriffin who not only has THE best voice ever, but is also sitting in for me today on Sunday Love Songs @bbcradio2."

The TV and radio star went on to joke about her struggles with having no voice: "From voting to buying food with hubby, three shopkeepers, when told by Shacky that I’d lost my voice so couldn’t talk, said with a smile & nod to him … ‘every cloud eh’ ‘bet you’re pleased’ & ‘Well done you’re in for a good weekend then’."

She concluded: "Hopefully I’ll be back next weekend with vocal chords working - don’t forget to get your dedications in early

"Thank you. I sound worse than I feel so that’s a good thing x."

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Angela Griffin stepped in to host the show (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Nicki was promptly inundated with get well wishes from her Instagram followers, with one writing: "Its hit our family too this last week Nicki. Its doing the rounds. Feel better soon."

Another added: "Get well soon. No doubt the husband will be running hot honey and lemon to you and room service today."

Nicki's replacement, Angela, also took to social media to explain the situation, telling her fans in a video from outside the BBC Radio 2 studios: "I am going to be doing Sunday Love Songs. Nicki isn't feeling too good, so I am stepping in."

Nicki has taken over Sunday Love Songs from Radio 2 legend Steve, after paying an emotional tribute to him on-air following his death.

She told listeners at the time: "It is so difficult to sum up what Steve meant to all of us. The devastatingly sad news has come as a complete shock."

"Everyone seems to have such fond memories of our Wrighty because that's how we viewed and that's how we listened to him. He was ours."