Zoe Ball's replacement issues emotional statement in her absence as host's mum's dies
Gaby Roslin emotionally told fans "grief has no rules" as she sent her support to "dear friend" Zoe Ball following the host's sad announcement.
Gaby Roslin pays tribute to Zoe Ball's mum Julia
Zoe Ball's stand-in host Gaby Roslin has paid an emotional on-air tribute to the show's usual presenter following the sad news of her mum's death yesterday. The 53-year-old had been on a break from her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast programme to care for her mother Julia Ball, who had advanced cancer.
Last night, Zoe told fans that, just over a week after her mum had moved to a hospice, she had lost her fight to the disease. Alongside a picture of her beloved mum on Instagram, she wrote: "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. Your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us."
Addressing the news on Wednesday, Gaby told BBC Radio 2 listeners: "It's no secret that Zoe has been off for a little while looking after her mum Julia. Very sadly, Julia lost her fight yesterday. We're all obviously sending so much love to Zoe and to the whole family, to her brother and her children.
"It's a horrible, awful time and I know so many of you have been through this time, losing a parent, losing a loved one. I think the one thing, if I could pass on anything, is that grief has no rules.
"There are no rules about this at all.
"Zoe, you know I've got your back, I'll always have your back, I love you dearly.
"You're a very dear friend, and everyone on the team here loves you and sends you so much love."
Gaby went on to dedicate Fleetwood Mac's Songbird to her friend, adding: "The perfect song for our beautiful Zoe. Sending all of her family lots and loves of love."
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Zoe was also inundated with condolences from many more of her Instagram followers and showbiz friends.
Carol Vorderman wrote: "I'm so sorry to hear that you’ve lost your Mum Zoe. But with these beautiful words you’ve brought her into so many other hearts. She must have been very proud of you, with love."
James Jordan added: "So sorry hun - sending you and your family love and strength."
Emma Willis commented: "Sending you and your family all our love."
Zoe announced that Julia had cancer back in March while on a break from her show.
In a lengthy post, she told fans she won't be on her programme as much due to caring for mum and thanked fans for their understanding.
On April 17, Zoe announced that her mum had been taken to a hospice and praised the parademics who helped take her there.
Seeming emotional, she added: "They were so gentle with her, so kind, very funny and absolutely lovely.
"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."
