Zoe Ball has admitted that her mother’s illness is ‘very advanced’, as she focuses on’making memories’ following her diagnosis.
The 53-year-old broadcaster returned to her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Monday after taking time off to care for her mother, Julia Peckham, who has been diagnosed with the condition.
She returned on the radio this morning, telling her listeners, ‘It’s me! I’ve missed you all; I’ve been caring for my darling mother, but now I’m back to disturb you.
Later in the broadcast, she provided an emotional update on her mother’s status.
‘Sadly, heartbreakingly her cancer is quite advanced but we’re making loads of lovely memories and taking care of her,’ Zoe said. ‘She has some amazing people around her.’
The former It Takes Two host also spoke of her ‘new found admiration for all carers’, while joking about the amount of housework she’s been doing.
my brother Jamie & I are completely in awe of the brilliant Doctors, Nurses & support teams looking after Mum
gratitude to our families and friends for their support
I'm trying to be at work on breakfast as often as I can but occasionally need to be home with my Mama ❤️
— Zoe Ball (@ZoeTheBall) March 6, 2024
‘I have realised that perhaps my calling was below stairs after all! I make a fine tea, I’ve been doing a marvellous lot of ironing and doing lots of admin,’ she said.
‘I’ve had some real heartbreaking messages from people who have lost loved ones to cancer recently, you are all in my heart.’
Zoe also expressed appreciation to hospital workers and ‘a very nice pair of chaps called Vic and Tom’ who transported them to A&E in an ambulance last week.
‘My mum and I had never been in an ambulance before. It was fascinating stuff. There was an amazing team at A&E, all of them doing such amazing work,’ she praised.
She added: ‘I’ve met some lovely people after going in and out of hospitals for the past few weeks.
‘Many of you have been telling me your own stories about loved ones and your own cancer stories so thank you for sharing. Those messages have meant so much, I’ve been reading them out to my my mum.’
Despite being a BBC celebrity, Zoe remarked that she and her mother have largely watched competitors ITV.
‘I have now watched a lot of a certain channel with my mum, I now know my mum’s habits,’ she teased.
‘GMB with Susanna Reid and then we have a bit of Lorraine and then a bit of Cat [Deeley] and Ben [Shephard] on This Morning and then a lot of Ben on Tipping Point.’
Zoe shared her mother’s cancer diagnosis in a devastating message on X earlier this month.
She wrote: ‘Heartbreakingly our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with Cancer. As many of you know from experience, these are extremely tough times. Mum is being incredibly brave.
‘My brother Jamie & I are completely in awe of the brilliant Doctors, Nurses & support teams looking after Mum. Thank you 💙🙏🏼.’
Alongside a sweet family photo and a picture of her mum, Zoe went on: ‘Sending out love to people reading this who are battling cancer, or awaiting diagnosis & also to the folk looking after their dear ones who are poorly.’
She added that Gaby Roslin, 59, will be stepping in to replace her on BBC Radio 2, but said she would be at work ‘as often as I can’.
‘I’m trying to be at work on breakfast as often as I can but occasionally need to be home with my Mama. thanks to Gaby for stepping in. Lots of love,’ Zoe wrote.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
