BBC Radio 2 Host Zoe Ball Reveals Emotional Breakdown After Mother's Cancer Death

Zoe Ball has publicly revealed the profound emotional impact following the death of her mother, Julia Peckham, from pancreatic cancer in 2024, describing a 'brutal' emotional breakdown that left her physically unable to work. The grief forced her to take an extended break from hosting the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, a role she eventually stepped down from to focus on her family. Ball shared these personal struggles on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, emphasizing that the hardest period came months after her mother's passing when "the wheels properly came off". She highlighted the importance of leaning on loved ones and allowing oneself to grieve openly through crying. Before stepping down, Ball was one of the highest-paid female BBC presenters, earning £950,000 annually. Throughout her reflections, Ball has encouraged openness about grief and the significance of support during such difficult times.