'dear mama'
Who was Zoe Ball’s mum Julia Peckham and what was her cause of death?
Zoe previously spoke about her complex relationship with her mum
ZOE Ball has announced the death of her mother, Julia Peckham.
The radio presenter had previously taken time away from her Breakfast show to care for her mother following her cancer diagnosis.
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Who was Zoe Ball's mum Julia?
Julia was born in August 1949.
She is the mother of BBC Radio 2 star Zoe Ball.
In March 2024, the presenter announced Julia's cancer diagnosis in an Instagram post.
She told fans: "Heartbreakingly our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with Cancer.
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"As many of you know from experience, these are extremely tough times. Mum is being incredibly brave.
"My brother Jamie and I are completely in awe of the brilliant Doctors, Nurses and support teams looking after Mum.
"Thank you. Gratitude to our families and our extended family and friends at home and at work for their support at this time."
Zoe then revealed that she would be taking some time out of her job to support her mum through her diagnosis.
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On April 17, 2024, Zoe confirmed her beloved mum had been moved into a hospice following her return to her Breakfast show.
She dedicated a Bon Jovi song to the paramedics who had taken care of Julia.
She explained on-air: "Mum's in hospice now, pretty tough at the moment for the family.
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"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.
"Love you Mum."
What was Julia Peckham's cause of death?
On April 24, 2024, Zoe announced the death of her mother Julia, 74, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
She posted a message in tribute on social media, telling followers of her death.
She shared a photo of Julia with the caption: “Sleep tight dear Mama.
We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other"
Zoe Ball
“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 Cook added: "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."
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer may not have any symptoms, or they might be hard to spot.
- The whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow (jaundice), and you may also have itchy skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual
- Loss of appetite or losing weight without trying to
- Feeling tired or having no energy
- A high temperature, or feeling hot or shivery
- Feeling or being sick
- Diarrhoea or constipation, or other changes in your poo
- Pain at the top part of your tummy and your back, which may feel worse when you're eating or lying down and better when you lean forward
- Symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling bloated
Source: NHS
Was Julia Peckham married and how many children did she have?
Julia married TV presenter Johnny Ball in 1969.
She was 21 when she gave birth to Zoe on November 23, 1970.
Her marriage to Johnny ended in 1972 after Julia walked out when Zoe was two years old.
Zoe previously spoke about her complex relationship with Julia after her parents separated.
She said in the past: "I didn’t see my mum Julia for a few years – she was very young when she married my dad and had me.
"When they parted I lived with my dad and my other ‘mum’, his wife Diane."
However, the pair grew very close in recent years and Zoe supported her mum after her husband Richard died in 2013.
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Zoe referred to her brother Jamie Clark when talking about her mother's care.
He was born in February 1977.
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