Zoe Ball says final goodbye to 'dear Mama' as she thanks fans for support
Zoe Ball has heartbreakingly paid tribute to her late mum after funeral. The radio host laid her mum, Julie Peckham, to rest on 8 May following her death in April.
Zoe, 53, shared a collection of old photographs of her mum alongside a lengthy caption detailing her send off. She branded the day "perfect" and thanked everyone involved, including her loved ones.
"Yesterday we said goodbye to our dear Mama, Granny J. it was the perfect day and she would have loved it," Zoe penned. "Forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic & love. missing you so much but holding tight to each other."
She said: "Thank you to everyone who sent kind messages, cards & flowers. Big love to the many of you who have shared with us about your own loss and heartbreak, to those battling with cancer or looking after loved ones affected by cancer. we wish you all the strength and love. and of course the humour you need to keep going. some days it's so hard to be brave."
Zoe went on to reveal she and her brother Jamie will soon be fundraising for charities close to their heart, adding: "My wonderful brother Jamie @tikikontiki and i will be fundraising in the future for the fantastic caring folk at @stpeterstjames & @pancreaticcanuk let's hope one day more can be done to help those diagnosed. our Mum was diagnosed In February, we lost her in just 12 weeks."
The star signed off her post by thanking the family and friends involved in arranging her mum's send off, including son Woody, 23, who shared a eulogy at the service. She also thanked the venue and company who helped organise the funeral, expressing "huge gratitude" to all involved.
Zoe announced on her social media on Tuesday, 24 April that her mum Julia had passed away following her battle with cancer. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February and sadly 12 weeks later she passed away.
She wrote a very emotional message on her Twitter (X) and Instagram accounts, which said: "Sleep tight dear Mama. 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."
