Zoe Ball has shared an emotional revelation ahead of her upcoming appearance on BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?, admitting the journey left her feeling “quite sad” after the loss of her mum, Julia, in 2024.
The TV and radio star, joined by her famous dad Johnny Ball, delves deep into her family roots on the genealogy series, uncovering stories that span generations and continents. For Zoe, the experience was intensely personal — especially following the death of Julia, who passed away just weeks after being diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Speaking about the series, Zoe admitted, “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.”
Her journey led her to unexpected discoveries, from Scotland to 19th-century industrial Glasgow, and finally to Bolton, revealing stories of resilience, hardship, and survival. Along the way, she uncovered a poignant history on her mum’s side, touching on psychiatric illness and family separation, shedding light on the challenges her mother faced growing up.
Reflecting on the emotional impact, Zoe admitted, “Although we became much closer as I got older, I didn’t really grow up with my mum. Learning about her mother, Peggy, and understanding how Peggy’s mental health struggles affected my mum made me feel very emotional. It made me feel quite sad that I couldn’t share this experience with her.”
Yet the journey also brought a sense of connection and understanding. “Going on this journey has really allowed me to feel closer to my mum’s side of the family,” Zoe said. “I’m really glad I got to learn more about where they came from. In particular, discovering more about her mother and the challenges she faced has made me feel much closer to that side of the family. It’s been fascinating and incredibly moving.”
Zoe’s story is a powerful reminder of the ties that bind us, and the ways in which uncovering our past can help heal the present — even amidst heartbreak.
