09 May 2024 , 22:00
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Zoe Ball paid an emotional tribute to her late mother as she shared with fans details of her mum's funeral following Julia's brave battle with pancreatic cancer.
The BBC Radio 2 host, 53, posted a number of family photos as she told her followers that her mother's funeral had been a tough but "perfect" day. 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 added: "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, who is a mother of two, went on to thank her family members including her son Woody and her brother Jamie, and revealed they will be fundraising for cancer research in the future, after her mother lost her battle just 12 weeks after being diagnosed with the disease.
Zoe Ball shares news that her mother's funeral has taken place and was a tough but 'perfect' day (Instagram/ @zoetheball)
The Radio 2 presenter posts throwback photo of her and her late mum Julia (Instagram/ @zoetheball)She continued: "Huge gratitude to @stewart_the_celebrant what a superstar he is. To Karen @choirandko to @nelly_co0k @woody_cook Chris, Derek for bravely sharing most fabulous moving eulogies for Mum, love in abundance to Nicky, Sarah, Briony Alex & the team at @pangdeanbarn the most magnificent venue in the foot of the South Downs, Giles at @southdownscellars to dear Ali @gobotanica and @pitfieldbarnflowers and to @woodvalechurch and to David and his team at funeralshh@pandsgallagher.co.uk."
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In one of the family pictures Zoe is stood posing alongside her mother and other family members. And in another, which was throwback photo of her as a child, Julia leans in for a kiss. Another picture, again a throwback, is of Zoe as a teenager sat beside her late mother as the pair laughed for the camera. In March, Zoe revealed that she was taking time away from the radio show following the announcement of her mother's cancer diagnosis.
And her pal Gabby Roslin took over her morning slot while Zoe cared for her mum. Taking to social media, 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." She added: "Gratitude to our families & our extended family & friends at home & at work for their support at this time."
She continued: "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. 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."