Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 replacement is revealed after presenter announces she’s taking time away from show following devastating family news
Zoe Ball’s replacement for her Radio 2 show has been unveiled after the presenter announced she would be taking some time away from the show as her mother has been diagnosed with cancer.
The radio DJ, 53, said she and her family were going through “tough times” amid her mother Julia Peckham’s diagnosis, but praised her for being “brave”.
She also took time to thank her friend Gaby Roslin for her efforts in recent weeks, and suggested the presenter, 59, also cover her future services.
Zoë took to social media to announce her break, concluding her post: ‘Thank you to Gaby for stepping in. Lots of love.’
Gaby commented on the message and said: ‘Love you Zoe and so much love to your beautiful mum.’
Zoe Ball’s replacement for her Radio 2 show has been revealed after the presenter announced she would be taking some time away from the show as her mother has been diagnosed with cancer
The radio DJ, 53, said she and her family were going through “tough times” amid her mother Julia Peckham’s diagnosis, but praised her for being “brave” (Zoe and Julia pictured in 2011).
She also took time to thank her friend Gaby Roslin for her efforts in recent weeks, and suggested the presenter, 59, also cover her future services (pictured in October)
Zoe shared a photo of her mother, 74, surrounded by family members, along with another of her receiving chemotherapy.
Alongside the post she wrote: ‘Heartbreakingly, our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with cancer.
‘As many of you know from experience, these are extremely tough times. Mom is incredibly brave.
‘My brother Jamie and I are completely in awe of the brilliant doctors, nurses and support team caring for mum. Thank you.
‘Gratitude to our families and our extended family and friends at home and at work for their support at this time.
“I’m sending love to people reading this who are battling cancer or awaiting a diagnosis, and also to the people who are caring for their loved ones who are struggling.”
Zoe added that Gaby Roslin would replace her on her breakfast show while she spends time with her mother.
She wrote: ‘I try to be at breakfast as often as possible, but sometimes I have to be home with my mother. Thanks to Gaby for intervening. Lots of love ‘.
Taking to social media, Zoe said: ‘Thanks to Gaby for stepping in. Lots of love’, while Gaby said: ‘I love you Zoe and so much love to your beautiful mum’ (pictured with Chris Evans in 1996)
Zoe shared a photo of her mother, 74, surrounded by family members, along with another of her receiving chemotherapy
Zoe wrote: ‘It’s heartbreaking that our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with cancer. ‘As many of you know from experience, these are extremely tough times’
Zoe presents The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show from 6.30am to 9.30am, having taken over from Chris Evans in 2019.
She was inundated with well wishes from friends and followers after going public with the news of her mother’s diagnosis.
Actress Amanda Abbington wrote, “Sending so much love to you and your beautiful family, my love. Most love.”
Fellow radio host Adele Roberts added: “Thinking of your amazing mother and sending so much love to you all.”
Julia Bradbury wrote: ‘I’m sorry to hear this Zoe. I wish you and the family love and courage through this ‘.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Ola Jordan wrote: ‘Sending lots of love to you and your mum ‘.
In a 2013 interview with The Mail on Sunday, Zoe told how after her parents split, she lived with her father and stepmother.
She said: ‘I haven’t seen my mum Julia for a few years – she was very young when she married my dad and had me, and when they split I lived with my dad and my other ‘mum’, his wife Diane . ‘
Her mother went through a difficult time after the death of her third husband, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2012.
‘I now take care of my mother a bit; I see her almost every day. She’s beautiful,” Zoe said at the time.
She was inundated with well wishes from friends and followers after going public with the news of her mother’s diagnosis
Zoe wrote: ‘I try to be at work during breakfast as often as possible, but occasionally I have to be at home with my mum’ (pictured with her mum Julia in 2010)