Zoe Ball taking time off Radio 2 after devastating family news

star has revealed she’s following some devastating news.

The 53-year-old shared on that her mum had been diagnosed with .

‘Heartbreakingly our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with Cancer,’ she wrote.

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

‘My brother Jamie & I are completely in awe of the brilliant Doctors, Nurses & support teams looking after Mum. Thank you 💙🙏🏼.’

Alongside a sweet family photo and a picture of her mum, Zoe went on: ‘Sending out love to people reading this who are battling cancer, or awaiting diagnosis & also to the folk looking after their dear ones who are poorly.’

She added that Gaby Roslin will be stepping in to replace her on BBC Radio 2, but said she would be at work ‘as often as I can’.

‘I’m trying to be at work on breakfast as often as I can but occasionally need to be home with my Mama. thanks to Gaby for stepping in. Lots of love,’ Zoe wrote.

Her post was showered in love and support from fans and friends alike, with Stacey Dooley commenting a series of hearts and presenter Sarah Cawood writing: ‘h Zoe my darling, this is awful news and I’m so sorry. Sending your mama so much love and strength to take on the challenges she now faces, and to you too, in supporting her. Massive massive cuddles to you all xx.’

Bake Off winner Candice Brown added: ‘Sending all the love.’

The veteran DJ hosts the popular breakfast slot between 6.30am and 9.30am, having taken over from Chris Evans in 2019.

Zoe previously spoke about her close relationship with her mum in a 2013 interview, where she explained that as a child she lived with her dad and step-mum following her parents’ separation.

She added to that her mum had been going through ‘a very tough time’ following the death of her third husband, who had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease a year before.

‘I am looking after my mum a bit now; I see her pretty much every day. She is gorgeous,’ she added.