Zoe Ball makes her return to BBC Radio 2 after mum’s heartbreaking death from pancreatic cancer
ZOE Ball has returned to hosting her BBC Radio 2 show after her mum’s heartbreaking death in April.
Julia died from pancreatic cancer last month just 12 weeks after being diagnosed.
Zoe, 53, kicked off her return to the radio by thanking presenter Gaby Roslin for holding the fort in her absence.
Speaking to listeners shortly after 6.30am today, Zoe said: “Good morning gang how are you all, you lovely lot?
“First text in this morning, Lesley from Eastbourne said, ‘Zoe, so good to have you back.’
“You’re saying that now Lesley, give me ten minutes you might change your mind!
“So how are you all doing? Thanks so much to Gabby for being here these last few weeks and here for me.
“I’m so grateful to you all for your amazing messages to me about my dear mum.”
Zoe shared a tribute to her mum when she announced Julia’s passing on social media on April 24.
Posting on Twitter at 4.44am, Zoe said: “Sleep tight dear Mama.
“Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy.
“And how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts.
“We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other.”
Zoe’s son Woody said: “Today I say goodbye to Granny J, thank you for being a wonderful woman.
“The only person who always sent me a Valentine’s card.”
The presenter first revealed her mum’s illness in March and said Julie had been moved into a hospice.
Zoe informed listeners she would be taking some days off to look after her mum.
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The star dedicated a Bon Jovi track to the paramedics who had helped Julia.
On the show, she said: “Mum’s in hospice now, pretty tough at the moment for the family.
“I just want to say thank you to John, Scarlett and Charlie, both Charlies, actually, and Sophie and Laura who are really looking after mum.”
“Things are really tough for my mum at the moment, just sending out loads of love.”
Zoe celebrated her mum’s life at her funeral, telling fans her mum would have loved the service.
She said in April: “Yesterday we said goodbye to our dear Mama, Granny J. it was the perfect day and she would have loved it.
“Forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic & love. missing you so much but holding tight to each other.
“Thank you to everyone who sent kind messages, cards & flowers. Big love to the many of you who have shared with us about your own loss and heartbreak, to those battling with cancer or looking after loved ones affected by cancer.
“We wish you all the strength and love. and of course the humour you need to keep going. some days it’s so hard to be brave.”
Zoe also said she and her brother Jamie will fundraise in for St Peter & St James’ hospice in Haywards Heath and Pancreatic Cancer UK.
She included thank yous for those involved in the service including her children Woody, 23, and Nelly, 14, who read eulogies.
The wake took place inside Pangdean Barn which Zoe called “the most magnificent venue” in the foot of the South Downs.