Radio DJ Zoe Ball’s mother Julia Packham has died (Picture: Getty)
Zoe Ball has announced the death of her ‘dear Mama’, Julia Peckham, after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
The radio DJ, who had previously taken time off her show to look after her, revealed her mother had been moved to hospice care last week.
Taking to Instagram in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Zoe wrote: ‘Sleep tight dear Mama.’
She added: ‘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. Your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us.’
Alongside her message, she shared a picture of Peckham as a young woman, leaning over a handrail as she sat on a bridge, dressed in a blue jumper and wearing a pink bow in her hair.
Zoe was flooded with messages of support after her difficult post, with her BBC Radio 2 colleague and former Strictly Star Richie Anderson writing: ‘So sorry Zo 😔 thinking of you all. Love you xxx’
‘Sending you so much love xxxx,’ added Claudia Winkleman, while newsreader Dan Walker shared: ‘She was a beaut Zoe ❤️ Hope you are doing ok.’
She had previously described the cancer diagnosis as an ‘extremely tough’ time.
The broadcaster’s son Woody Cook, who she shares with ex-husband Norman Cook better known as British DJ Fatboy Slim, also shared a tribute on Instagram.
‘Today I say goodbye to Granny J, thank you for being a wonderful woman,’ the 23-year-old said, sharing a younger picture with his grandmother.
Woody, who appeared on Netflix reality series The Circle in 2019, also referenced his grandmother’s late husband Rick Peckham.
He said: ‘The only person who always sent me a valentines card. I know you’re with Rick now, give him a hug from me.
‘I know he said once when you were panicking in a helicopter over the Jungle ‘If you get lost, follow the river!’ You’ll find him at the end.’
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