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Zoe Ball has paid tribute to her mother Julia who died following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The radio star confirmed her mum’s death on Wednesday morning, saying on Instagram: “We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other. Your grace and your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us.”
She had announced her mum’s cancer diagnosis in March, shortly after posting what would be the final photo of her, taken during a family holiday in Antigua.
The presenter had been on a family break along with her children and mother, and she shared a montage of photos from the holiday in January.
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One of the photos showed Zoe and Julia smiling around a dinner table as they enjoyed a night out together.
Another was of Julia in a swimsuit on a boat as she soaked up the Caribbean sun. A third photo showed her mother smiling lovingly as she posed with her family members wearing tinsel tiaras.
Zoe’s tribute to her mum said: “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.”
She had shared a heartbreaking update last week that Julia was being transferred into hospice care. The star had told listeners things were “pretty tough at the moment for the family”.
