During her absence, fellow presenter Gaby Roslin filled in on air. Zoe made sure to inform her listeners personally, thanking them for their understanding and promising she would return once things settled. Fans flooded her social media with messages of love and encouragement, expressing admiration for her honesty and courage.
For Zoe, the decision to pause her career wasn’t difficult. “You only get one mum,” she had said in an earlier interview. “Work can wait. She can’t.”
A Mother’s Strength
Those close to the family said Julia Peckham faced her illness with quiet bravery. Zoe often described her mother as her “hero” — a woman who never complained, even as her health declined. Julia was known among friends as nurturing, strong-willed, and deeply protective of her children, Zoe and Jamie.
In her tribute, Zoe reflected on her mother’s resilience: “She fought every single day with grace. She smiled through treatments, cracked jokes with the nurses, and reminded us to find joy wherever we could. She taught me how to be strong without losing softness — that’s the kind of courage I’ll carry for the rest of my life.”
Zoe’s post included several personal photos: one of her and Julia smiling together in a garden, another of Julia holding her grandchildren. The images painted a portrait of a family bound tightly by love, even as loss loomed ahead.
A Family Surrounded by Compassion
Zoe also used her message to thank the people who helped make her mother’s final months as peaceful as possible. “To the doctors, nurses, and carers who supported Mum — you were angels,” she wrote. “Your kindness carried us when we were too tired to stand.”
She went on to praise the staff at the hospice where Julia spent her last weeks. “They gave us not just medical care but compassion — the kind that reminds you that humanity still exists even in heartbreak.”
Her brother, Jamie, shared his own gratitude in a quiet post online, saying he was “in awe” of the care and dignity shown to their mother.
Friends and fellow broadcasters reached out in support. Claudia Winkleman, Jo Whiley, and Dermot O’Leary were among those who sent messages of condolence. Listeners described Zoe’s openness about her grief as “raw and real,” saying it helped them feel less alone in their own losses.
Finding Light in the Darkness
Even in mourning, Zoe expressed deep appreciation for the love surrounding her. “We’ve been wrapped in kindness,” she said. “From friends, family, colleagues, even strangers — every message, every meal left on the doorstep, every hug has meant the world.”
She also spoke about the bittersweet beauty of being able to say goodbye. “Mum and I talked about everything,” she shared. “The memories, the laughter, even the silly arguments. I got to hold her hand, tell her I loved her, and hear her say it back. That’s a gift I’ll never take for granted.”
Zoe ended her post with a quiet message to others who are caring for loved ones battling illness:
“If you’re walking through something similar — take the time. Sit with them. Tell the stories, hold their hand, and don’t be afraid to cry. It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do, but it’s love in its purest form.”
A Legacy of Love
Julia Peckham may not have been a public figure, but her influence is woven through the woman her daughter became. Zoe’s warmth on the airwaves, her compassion toward others, and her ability to find joy even in sadness all reflect her mother’s example.
As tributes continue to pour in, Zoe’s fans have turned her social media page into a kind of memorial wall — a space filled with condolences, shared stories, and words of comfort. Many thanked her for reminding the world to prioritize love over work, presence over productivity.
One message read, “Your mother must be so proud — not just of what you’ve done, but of the heart you have.”
Looking Ahead
Zoe hasn’t said when she plans to return to work, and those close to her say she’s taking things one day at a time. For now, she’s focusing on her family, particularly her two children, Woody and Nelly, who were very close to their grandmother.
Sources at the BBC confirmed that Zoe’s job will be waiting for her whenever she’s ready. “She’s part of our family,” one producer said. “Right now, she just needs space — and we’re giving her all the time she needs.”
Zoe’s openness about her grief has already inspired conversations about family, love, and loss. Fans have praised her for showing that even public figures — people whose voices fill the airwaves — are human, vulnerable, and deeply connected to the same emotions we all feel.
A Farewell That Stays Forever
In her final words to her followers, Zoe wrote:
“My heart is shattered, but it’s also full — full of memories, laughter, and love that doesn’t end. Mum taught me everything that matters: kindness, humor, and how to make a proper cup of tea. I’ll miss her every day, but I’ll carry her with me in everything I do.”
The post ended with a single white heart emoji and a photo of the sea at sunset — calm, endless, and golden.
For Zoe Ball, life will never be quite the same again. But through her grief, she continues to embody the lessons her mother left behind — to be brave, to be kind, and to keep showing up for the people you love, even when it hurts.