Zoe Ball's TV legend dad Johnny reveals he's been secretly battling cancer

Children’s TV legend Johnny Ball has revealed that he has been secretly fighting prostate cancer.

The 87-year-old, who burst on to TV screens presenting Play School in 1967, tells The Mirror: “I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2022 and, thankfully, after three months of daily radiation treatment, starting in the September, I’m through it, I’m fine.”

Johnny, who has annual checks, does not take survivingprostate cancer for granted. He says: “My friend Harry Secombe didn't survive it, Bob Monkhouse didn't survive it. I'm 20 years younger than them and I am lucky, because now we can cure it. “

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Reflecting on the loss of Goon Show great Secombe in 2001, aged 79, and Opportunity Knocks host Monkhouse in 2003, aged 75, he continues: “You’ve got to cash in on what's wonderful about life today and stop dwelling on what's dreary and depressing.”

Johnny also works hard on staying healthy and follows a strict daily diet and exercise routine.

He says: ”First I do a simple bending and stretching routine that lasts about two and a half minutes, the speed I do it at. And 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.“

Diet plays a part too: “For breakfast (I have) cereal with prunes in the morning - it keeps me going!” he jokes. And every night he drinks beer.

He says: “I always have two pints - never any more than that. Dianne (his wife) can always tell if I have had even half a pint more - I start arguing with the TV."

Father-of-three Johnny, whose other TV credits include presenting the award winning kids’ maths and science series Think Of A Number, is still working - mainly giving educational talks in schools and on stage.

He says: “I would never retire. It's a joy to still be working.”

Johnny recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with second wife Dianne,  a former dance teacher, who he calls his “soul mate.”

Speaking from the home in Buckinghamshire which they share with their cocker spaniel, Holly, he says of Dianne: “We have the same mindset and attitude; we’re both Geminis and have a lot of energy.

“We walk a lot. Yesterday we walked our dog four miles; today, we walked about two and a half miles. We’re ingood health, and we make the most of it. You’ve got to focus on all the positives.”

But, an ambassador for theRemember A Charityorganisation, encouraging people to leave a gift to charity in their wills, despite relishing his good health - especially as a cancer survivor - Johnny stresses the need to organise your affairs and leave something to a good cause.

He says: “We’re all part of a great human relay race. You get your own lap, and then others get one after you. Leaving something in your will is like passing the baton to the next generation. Supporting a charity after you’ve gone helps you do that.”

Famously the dad of Zoe Ball, Johnny also has two sons with Dianne - Dan, 46, a civil engineer, who runs a business designing buildings and swimming pools." He has done pools for Idris Elba, Craig Revel Horwood and Ringo Starr," says Johnny.

Nick, 48, writes films - most recently working on the horror film, The Trip, which reached number one on Netflix.

Meanwhile, Zoe, 54, from his first wife Julia, who died in April 2024 from pancreatic cancer, is “in a good place,” according to Johnny, since leaving her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show to host a Saturday afternoon show on the channel.

He continues: “I think she's in a good place now. Her new career is going from strength to strength, because people are realising now that she’s available for other ideas.”

And Johnny is also full of ideas. He says:“I have a lovely idea for a multigenerational series on the history of maths, but it would be entertaining and not mathematical. I’d do it with Zoe and my grandson Woody."

Woody, 24, Zoe’s son by DJ Norman Cook - they also have a daughter, Nelly, 15 - is one of Johnny’s six grandchildren.

He appeared on Celebrity Gogglebox with Zoe and Woody back in 2023 and had viewers in stitches when, asked if he would ever go on Love Island, he replied: "Erm, I might find it exhausting at my age, to be honest." Then, he added: "Because I wouldn't like to leave anybody out."

Now Johnny, who split up with Zoe’s mum when she was two-and-a-half, would love another chance to do Strictly.

Back in 2012, then 74, he was the show’s oldest contestant, but he lost that title to Angela Rippon, who was a star turn in 2023 at the age of 78.

Now he wants to reclaim his crown, saying: “I could do Strictly now at 87.”

A keen skier, he has certainly maintained his agility, adding: “It’s great when you’re my age going skiing - my lift pass is two euros for the week.”

He even teaches the youngsters on the slopes a thing or two, adding: “I've seen young lads in their 20s - terrible at skiing. And I’ve stopped them, I’ve said, ‘You're gonna hurt yourself. Let me give you a lesson’ and I give them a lesson. The next day they come out and say, ‘Thank you very much. I can ski now.’”

Showing no signs of slowing down, Johnny still travels extensively with Dianne, who he met doing a show on Blackpool pier 20 minutes after a gypsy predicted he would have a “glorious future” if he made the right decision about a woman in his life.

He had split up with his first wife and says: “The gypsy said, ‘You’ve got two women in your life and if you make the right decision now, it’s going to be a glorious future.’

“I said ‘I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.’ I walked out and 20 minutes later I saw Diane working on a pier show, ‘Johnny beams,’ and her personality hit me from 30 yards.”

The couple have recently returned from a trip to India, and Johnny says: “We’ve been everywhere, although we’ve yet to visit Japan and New Zealand.”

Currently finishing the second part of his autobiography - a follow up to Johnny Ball - My Previous Life in Comedy - which is out in March, he sees plenty of scope for further adventures together.

He says: “I did two gigs last week. It's a joy to be still working. They will have to nail the lid down when I go!”

Johnny Ball is an ambassador for the #RememberACharity campaign, advocating for people to include a gift in their will to charity. To find out more about remembering a charity in your will, visit: https://www.rememberacharity.org.uk