BBC Radio 2 star Zoe Ball has opened up about her 14-year estrangement from her mother Julia and her family history in a new series of Who Do You Think You Are?
Exploring Family Roots
The radio host delved into her ancestral roots during the programme, uncovering details about her own mother's upbringing while coping with her grandmother's mental health condition. Throughout Tuesday's (May 26) instalment, Zoe discussed her estrangement from her mother Julia, who passed away in April 2024 following a cancer diagnosis.
She has previously revealed how she hadn't seen her mother from age five until their reunion during her late teens, having been brought up by her father, children's television presenter Johnny Ball, and stepmother Di. The BBC personality was born in 1970 in Blackpool, with her parents divorcing when she was two years old before Zoe subsequently relocated to Buckinghamshire.
Motherhood and Reflection
She's now mother to two children, Woody and Nelly, whom she shares with former husband Fatboy Slim. The couple wed in 1999 and parted ways in 2016, though they continue to share a strong friendship. Discussing her family and her mother's passing in the latest series of Who Do You Think You Are?, which broadcast on Tuesday evening, Zoe reflected: "We lost my mum last year, and it really made me step back and look at the bigger picture and re-evaluate what is important in my life."
Nelly, my daughter is 15, and I just want to be mum and be around for her before she has grown up and is off in the big wide world, like her brother, Woody. My kids are really keen to know if we are Brits through and through, is there any Viking, is there any pirate? We joke that we're convinced we come from a line of wrong 'uns!
Estrangement and Reunion
While Johnny also appeared in the episode, as Zoe requested assistance discovering her ancestry, she separately discussed her relationship with her mum. She revealed: "I think with things being a bit tricky, they both met new partners, it was decided at some point that I would stay with my dad. It was pretty tough, I didn't see my mum for 14 years, which is a long time for a kid not to see her mum. When we did connect again, when I was 18, there was a lot of making up to do."
I don't remember ever meeting my mum's mum. Her name was Margaret but everyone called her Peg. For a time, she was in what would have been called an asylum in those days, because she struggled with her mental health. Families are fascinating because there are stories families tell and stories that get hushed up so I'd be keen to find out more about what happened to her, almost pulling back the curtain.
Emotional Journey
It could get quite emotional for me, because my mum was really excited about the prospect of us having a good dig into the past. I feel like it's even more important now. I'm really sad she's not here to learn these things, but wherever she is, she's here with me in my heart. Zoe's mum Julia tragically died in April 2024 after being diagnosed with cancer, which had led Zoe to take some time off from her radio show.
Announcing her death, Zoe had shared a tribute to Julia on social media, writing: "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." Despite the close relationship they had later in life, Zoe didn't see her mum for 14 years. Recalling how they reunited after receiving an invitation to her mum's 40th birthday party, Zoe previously told The Mirror about that moment, saying: "I could hardly breathe. I felt faint but somehow managed to hold myself together."
She continued: "I spied some balloons tied to a gate and my heart started pounding like mad. I suddenly panicked: 'What if we hate each other?'" However, everything changed when she did meet Julia, with Zoe saying: "We spent such a lovely first day together... lots of crying and girlie emotion."
Why She Took Part
Ahead of the new series of Who Do You Think You Are? airing, Zoe revealed why she wanted to take part in the programme. She said: "I wanted to know more about my background. I mostly grew up with my dad and didn't reconnect with my mum until my late teens, but I know she was always really keen to look into her family history. Because of that, I wanted to understand more about that side of my family, especially after losing her two years ago."
It was really fascinating to learn where she came from and discover more about my ancestors. In particular, learning about her mother and the challenges she faced with her mental health made me feel much closer to that side of the family. She added: "Although we became much closer as I got older, I didn't really grow up with my mum. So it was very interesting to learn more about her mother, Peggy, and to understand that because of Peggy's mental health struggles, my mum Julia also missed out on time with her own mother growing up."
I know my mum was really interested in finding out more about her family history, so it made me feel quite sad that I wasn't able to share this experience with her after losing her two years ago. Going on this journey has really allowed me to feel closer to my mum's side of the family, and I'm really glad I got to learn more about where they came from. Who Do You Think You Are? airs Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
