Zoe Ball has told her fans she is “heartbroken” following the death of her “dear mum” Julia.
The BBC Radio 2 star announced in early March that her mother had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and she was being “incredibly brave.”
Earlier this week, the 53-year-old told her BBC Radio 2 listeners that Julia had been transferred to a hospice, while she dedicated a Bon Jovi song to the paramedics who helped her.
Just before 5 a.m. on Wednesday, the much-loved broadcaster shared the news of her mother’s passing on Instagram. In a tribute, she said: “Sleep well, dear Mum.”
‘Thank you for teaching us to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy. And how, even on the darkest days, laughter is the greatest of gifts.
Zoe Ball photographed with her mother Julia in 2011
Zoe Ball announced the death of her ‘darling mum’ Julia (pictured) in an Instagram post in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
In the tribute posted on Instagram (pictured), Zoe Ball told her fans that she is “bereft”
He continued: ‘We are heartbroken without you, but we will hold each other very tight. Your grace and your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light up the stars to guide us.’
After announcing her mother’s illness last month, Gaby Roslin ‘occasionally’ stepped in to replace her on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show so the couple could spend time together.
Last week, Zoe shared the heartbreaking news that Julia was being moved to hospice, telling listeners that things were ‘It’s a pretty tough time for the family.
She said: “Things are so difficult for my mum right now, just sending so much love.” I love you mama.”
Taking to social media early this morning, Zoe Ball shared the news of her mother’s passing.
The presenter, 53, said she and her family were going through “difficult times” following her mother’s (pictured) diagnosis but praised her for being “brave”.
Zoe revealed her mother’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis on March 6 when she told her fans on social media that she would be taking time away from her BBC show to focus on her family, who were going through “difficult times.” , but added that her mother was being extremely “excessive.” brave’.
Despite her mother’s diagnosis, Ms Ball remained positive, telling her fans at the time that she was “in awe” of the nurses and doctors in charge of her care.
Posting a photo of Julia surrounded by her family last month, as well as a second of her receiving chemotherapy in hospital, Ms Ball wrote: ‘It is heartbreaking that our beautiful mother Julia has been diagnosed with cancer.
Zoe and Julia Ball photographed at the party after the premiere of Sex and the City 2 in 2010
Fatboy Slim previously told how Zoe Ball ‘checked up’ on him as he rose to fame to ensure he treated people with respect.
Taking to social media last month, Zoe shared a photo of her mother surrounded by family members.
‘As many of you know from experience, these are extremely difficult times. Mom is being incredibly brave.
‘My brother Jamie and I are completely amazed by the brilliant doctors, nurses and support teams who care for mum. Thank you.
‘Thank you to our families, relatives and friends at home and at work for their support at this time.
‘Sending love to people reading this who are fighting cancer or awaiting a diagnosis, and also to people caring for loved ones who are unwell.’
The family has been plagued by difficulties for decades, and Ball’s parents, Julia and Johnny Ball, a former television presenter, separated in 1972 after just three years of marriage.
Ball remarried his second wife, Dianne Cheryl, in 1976, and the couple remains together today.
As Zoe’s career took off, she and her husband Fatboy Slim supported each other in his rise to fame, with Slim later describing how she kept him grounded by “checking in” on his behavior.
He told the Changes podcast at the time: “Even though you have license to break the rules, you will always have plenty of people who will let you get away with it.”
‘Zoe was very good to me about that, because she knew the fame game and we kept each other in check.
“If I wasn’t respectful to people, she’d be like, ‘Hey, come on, that’s not how we behave!’ “Go back and thank them for that.”
But sadly, their marriage came to an end in 2016, when the couple announced that they had “reached the end of their rainbow.”
Although Ball soon found love again with her partner Billy Yates, their relationship was not to last either.
After a long battle with depression, Yates, 40, committed suicide in May 2017 at his home in Putney, London.
The Radio 2 presenter previously said she felt ‘really grateful’ that he had said goodbye to her the last time she saw him.
Fighting back tears as she spoke of their last moments together, she said: “He got on his bike, drove off, turned around and kissed me goodbye, and that was the last time I saw him.”
She added: “It was just that moment and that feeling of ‘Oh my God, I love him so much, we’ll find help and everything will be okay.'”
“And I wish I had told him that.”
A year after his death, Ball took part in a grueling Sport Relief challenge to walk 350 miles in five days in his memory and raise awareness of mental health issues.
Zoe Ball photographed with her ex-partner Billy Yates, who committed suicide in May 2017.
Zoe Ball wore a T-shirt with Billy Yates’ name on it when she returned to work at Radio 2 after his death.
She has consistently marked his death each year and returned to work at Radio 2 after his death wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with his name.
Despite her loss, the presenter found the courage to love again when she began dating former construction worker Michael Reed.
But although his friends said he was a “real gentleman” at first, their relationship broke down after more than five years in May 2023, after Reed allegedly became “a little demanding.”
The couple had reportedly been arguing over very minor aspects of their life, such as Ball spending time on the phone with friends.
The presenter soon asked Mr Reed to move out of her home, although the two are said to have a good relationship.
Following her mother’s recent cancer diagnosis, Ms Ball has been inundated with messages of support from her fans.
He assured them that while he would be on his regular Radio 2 schedule as much as possible, he would “occasionally need to be at home with my mum”.
The radio presenter, who hosts the Zoe Ball breakfast show from 6.30am to 9.30am, will miss some shows as she helps care for her mother Julia, with Gaby Roslin taking her place.
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support