Zoe Ball pays an emotional tribute to her late mother Julia on her funeral and vows to fundraise for cancer research after her mum died just 12 weeks after her diagnosis

Zoe Ball paid an emotional tribute to her late mother Julia Peckham on Thursday after holding her funeral following her death from pancreatic cancer.

The radio presenter, 53, took to her Instagram account to share family photos as she told her followers it had been a tough but ‘perfect’ day.

“Yesterday we said goodbye to our sweet mom, Grandma J. it was the perfect day and she would have loved it ,” she wrote.

‘Forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic and love. I miss you so much, but hold each other tight

Zoe then thanked her two children Woody, 23, and Nelly, 14, for their praise, and the rest of her family and fans for their support.

The radio presenter, 53, took to her Instagram account to share family photos as she told her followers it had been a tough but ‘perfect’ day

‘Thank you to everyone who sent sweet messages, cards and flowers. Much love to the many of you who have shared with us your own loss and heartbreak, to those battling cancer or to those caring for loved ones affected by cancer.

‘We wish you all the strength and love. and of course the humor you need to keep going. some days it’s so hard to be brave.”

‘Big thanks to @stewart_the_celebrant, what a superstar he is. to Karen @choirandko to @nelly_co0k @woodycook Chris, Derek for courageously sharing the most wonderfully moving eulogies for Mom.”

Zoe pledged to raise money for cancer research in the future after explaining how Julia died just 12 weeks after her diagnosis in February.

‘My wonderful brother Jamie @tikikontiki and I will be raising money in the future for the wonderful caring people at @stpeterstjames & @pancreaticcanuk, let’s hope one day more can be done to help those diagnosed. our mother was diagnosed. We lost her in just 12 weeks in February.

The carousel of family photos showed photos from Julia’s childhood and photos of Zoe as a young child with her mother, to more recent photos capturing Julia as ‘Granny J’.

Zoe had previously announced her mother’s cancer diagnosis in March.

Zoe then thanked her two children Woody, 23, and Nelly, 14, for their praise, and the rest of her family and fans for their support.

‘Forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic and love. I miss you guys so much but hold each other tight,” she said

Zoe pledged to raise money for cancer research in the future after explaining how Julia died just 12 weeks after her diagnosis in February

‘We wish you all the strength and love. and of course the humor you need to keep going. Some days it’s so hard to be brave,” she continued

The carousel of family photos showed childhood photos of Julia and photos of Zoe as a young child with her mother, to more recent photos capturing Julia as ‘Granny J’.

Julia passed away on April 24, just 12 weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

Zoe said it’s very ‘hard to be brave’ as she shared photos from her childhood with Julia

She also shared more recent photos showing the presenter’s family with ‘Granny J’

Last month, Zoe told her BBC Radio 2 listeners that Julia had been transferred to a hospice, as she dedicated a Bon Jovi song to paramedics who helped her.

In April, the beloved broadcaster shared the news of her mother’s death on Instagram. In tribute, she said, “Sleep well dear mommy.

“Thank you for teaching us to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy. And how laughter, even in the darkest days, is the greatest gift.

It continued, “We are bereft without you, but we will hold each other so tight. Your grace and your smile that lit up every room you were in will light up the stars to guide us.”

After announcing her mother’s illness in March, Gaby Roslin stepped in “occasionally” to fill in for her on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show so the pair could spend time together.

Zoe had previously announced her mother’s cancer diagnosis in March