Beloved nineties TV legend Sarah Cawood has revealed the generous offer Zoe Ball presented her with in a tearful admission. Sarah, 53, is best known for hosting some of the biggest TV shows of the 1990s, including Top of the Pops, Live & Kicking and the MTV dating show, Singled Out. But after the turn of the century, the TV presenter became noticeably absent from our screens.

Now, the broadcaster has opened up about the reaction she received while expressing her fears that her career had peaked, and she now feels lost and redundant. Breaking down in tears in an Instagram video, she wrote: “Can I be really honest? For a minute? I’m 53, I’m healthy and I have a lovely family… But I feel lost.

“I made the mistake of doom-scrolling this morning and all my former peers are just SLAYING it… it’s hard to explain, but I just feel really… left out. It’s so silly to say that at 53, I feel jealous.”

She continued: “All my former TV buddies, plus new friends I’ve met, they all seem to be at events with each other, working together and THRIVING. And here’s the thing: I couldn’t be more pleased or proud of those women but I miss them… and I miss being one of them.”

Sarah went on to explain the mundane household chores that she spends much of her days completing, and shared her fears that she’s not earning enough money. The former TV star continued: “I just feel so redundant.

“I want to build my own brand; maybe write a book using my old diaries, but I simply don’t have time. Unless my time is spent on income-producing activities, I can’t do them: I’d work 24 hours a day and see no one.

“I HAD my time, and it was GREAT. So maybe I should just shut up and be grateful (I AM grateful, I really am! My life is so lovely and I’m so lucky, I just want a little bit more: Is that greedy?) Maybe the Universe has a different plan for me.”

The brutally candid post drew in hundreds of messages of support from her loyal legion of followers online, including BBC Radio 2 DJ Zoe, who offered to catch up with Sarah over a cup of tea.

Zoe replied: “Oh darling S, it’s not always as it may look from out there, I promise. Don’t be sad – although a good weep is such a good outlet and a must. If you ever want a cuppa.”

Sarah penned: “ZoZo! You are honestly one in a bloody million: treading that line between being on the telly and also just like us! And we all love you for it! May take you up on that off: just for a Ball Cuddle!”

Despite working on Channel 4’s The Girlie Show with Zoe in the 90s as well as Live & Kicking and Top of the Pops, Sarah revealed the pair have “only met in person once or twice”.

In a new column in The Sun, Sarah revealed: “I’ve always admired Zoe for the way she’s at the top of her game but still remains down-to-earth and one of us.

“She and Coxy [presenter Sara Cox] hung out with the dance crowd back in the day but I was an indie girl, so our social circles didn’t really cross.

“When I got breast cancer a few years ago, she sent me a beautiful DM. While I’d love to take up her offer and sit down for a natter, I don’t want to be that person who forces themselves on someone being kind.”