Johnny Ball Opens Up About Prostate Cancer Battle

Veteran broadcaster Johnny Ball has revealed he is “fine” after overcoming prostate cancer, following a diagnosis in 2022 and months of treatment. The 87-year-old credits a daily fitness routine for helping him stay in good health.

Broadcaster Johnny Ball has spoken publicly for the first time about his prostate cancer diagnosis, saying he now feels “fine” after successful treatment.

The 87-year-old, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, was diagnosed in August 2022 and underwent three months of daily radiation therapy, starting that September.

“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2022 and, thankfully, after three months of daily radiation treatment, I’m through it, I’m fine,” Ball told the Mirror.

Despite his recovery, Ball says he does not take his health for granted. He maintains a short daily exercise routine to keep fit.

“First I do a simple bending and stretching routine that lasts about two and a half minutes,” he explained. “Then I lift my two 2kg dumbbells for two and a half minutes. My daily routine is six to seven minutes at the most, but it keeps me incredibly fit.”

Family loss

Ball’s ex-wife Julia Peckham — the mother of BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball — died of cancer last year.

Zoe previously revealed that the loss of her mother had a devastating impact, leading to a breakdown.

“I couldn’t work. I was on the floor in the kitchen. I couldn’t move,” she said on her Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball podcast. “I had a proper emotional breakdown. I haven’t really talked about it actually, but it was brutal.”

She added that Julia’s first birthday after her passing was particularly painful.

“It’s a year and a bit since we lost mum, and I found her birthday this year the toughest,” she said. “It was a week of absolute weeping. I still get quite emotional talking about mum, even now. But I think leaning on your loved ones is the best thing — and not being afraid to weep.”