Zoe Ball: BBC Radio 2 star shares emotional update as mum Julia Peckham died 12 weeks after cancer diagnosis

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball has bid her last goodbye to her mother Julia Peckham who died just 12 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. In an emotional message posted to her Instagram, the 53-year-old said said the family “said goodbye to our dear Mama, Granny J” on Wednesday, May 8.

She wrote: “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.”

She also expressed her gratitude to everyone who sent “kind messages, cards, and flowers.” She wrote: “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.”

The radio star previously announced in early March that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer, saying at the time: "Heartbreakingly our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with cancer. These are extremely tough times, mum is being incredibly brave. Sending out love to people reading this battling cancer, awaiting diagnosis & also to folk looking after their dear ones who are poorly."

Peckham was later moved to a hospice to receive care. On April 24, Ball confirmed that her mum had passed away from the illness. She said in a post on social media featuring a young picture of her mother: “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.”

Ball also revealed she and her brother, Jamie will be fundraising in the future for St Peter & St James Hospice and Pancreatic Cancer UK. She said: “Let's hope one day more can be done to help those diagnosed. our Mum was diagnosed In February, we lost her in just 12 weeks.”