TV presenter Johnny Ball, 86, has revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2022 and has since undergone successful treatment. The father of BBC Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball told the Mirror that after three months of daily radiation therapy starting in September, he is now “fine”.
Ball, known for presenting Play School and Think Of A Number, reflected on friends who did not survive the disease, including Harry Secombe and Bob Monkhouse. He said: “I’m 20 years younger than them and I am lucky, because now we can cure it. You’ve got to cash in on what's wonderful about life today and stop dwelling on what's dreary and depressing.”
Ball’s ex-wife, Julia Peckham, died last year after a cancer diagnosis. The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant also shared his daily fitness routine, which includes a two-and-a-half-minute bending and stretching sequence followed by lifting two 2kg dumbbells for the same duration. He said: “My daily routine is six to seven minutes at the most, but it keeps me incredibly fit.”
For breakfast, Ball enjoys cereal with prunes, and he drinks two pints of beer every night. He added: “Dianne (his wife) can always tell if I have had even half a pint more - I start arguing with the TV.”
