BBC’s Zoe Ball reveals her mum Julia’s death after heartbreaking cancer diagnosis as she pays tribute to her ‘dear mama’

THE BBC's Zoe Ball said her mum has died following a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis - paying tribute to her "dear mama".

Radio 2 DJ Zoe announced her mother Julia's passing on social media in the early hours of this morning.

Posting on Twitter at 4.44am, Zoe 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."

Zoe's son Woody said: "Today I say goodbye to Granny J, thank you for being a wonderful woman.

"The only person who always sent me a Valentine's card."

It comes days after Zoe revealed her mum had been moved into a hospice following her pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

Zoe returned to her BBC Radio 2 show on Wednesday last week - dedicating a Bon Jovi track to the paramedics helping Julia.

On the show, she said: "Mum's in hospice now, pretty tough at the moment for the family.

"I just want to say thank you to John, Scarlett and Charlie, both Charlies, actually, and Sophie and Laura who are really looking after mum."

"Things are really tough for my mum at the moment, just sending out loads of love.

"Love you Mum."

After the show, Zoe was flooded with messages from supportive listeners.

In a Twitter post, she shared a message thanking her fans along a snap of a bluebell wood.

Zoe said: "Thank you for all your kindness. The messages, letters and cards for our Mum mean the world.

"Strength and love to the many families and folk touched by cancer.

"Holding tight and so grateful to the incredible people looking after our Ma. We passed these bluebells on the way to the hospice."

Last month, Zoe revealed her mum's cancer diagnosis in an Instagram post.

She said: "Heartbreakingly our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with Cancer.

"As many of you know from experience, these are extremely tough times. Mum is being incredibly brave.

"My brother Jamie and I are completely in awe of the brilliant Doctors, Nurses and support teams looking after Mum.

"Thank you. Gratitude to our families and our extended family and friends at home and at work for their support at this time."

The star has previously spoken about her complex relationship with Julia after her parents separated.

Zoe said in the past: "I didn’t see my mum Julia for a few years – she was very young when she married my dad and had me.

"When they parted I lived with my dad and my other ‘mum’, his wife Diane."

But Zoe and Julia grew very close in recent years and Zoe supported her mum after her husband died in 2013.

More to follow.