By Fionnuala Boyle,Sanjeeta Bains
Copyright dailyrecord
Children’s television icon Johnny Ball has confirmed that he has been privately battling prostate cancer . The 87-year-old, who exploded onto TV screens hosting Play School in 1967, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2022. He revealed to the Mirror that “thankfully, after three months of daily radiation treatment , starting in the September, I’m through it, I’m fine.” Johnny, who undergoes yearly examinations, doesn’t take beating prostate cancer lightly and points to his friends Harry Secombe and Bob Monkhouse who sadly didn’t survive the disease . “I’m 20 years younger than them and I am lucky, because now we can cure it,” he said, before adding: “You’ve got to cash in on what’s wonderful about life today and stop dwelling on what’s dreary and depressing,” reports the Mirror . Now, Johnny puts tremendous effort into maintaining his health and adheres to a rigorous daily diet and fitness regime. “First I do a simple bending and stretching routine that lasts about two and a half minutes, the speed I do it at,” he explained. “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. “For breakfast (I have) cereal with prunes in the morning – it keeps me going!” And each evening he enjoys a beer, admitting: “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.” The father-of-three, whose additional television work includes fronting the acclaimed children’s mathematics and science programme Think Of A Number, continues to stay busy – primarily delivering educational presentations in schools and on stage. He says he “would never retire,” reasoning: “It’s a joy to still be working.” Johnny has recently marked his golden wedding anniversary with second spouse Dianne, a former dance instructor, whom he describes as his “soul mate.” From their Buckinghamshire residence which they occupy alongside cocker spaniel Holly, he says about 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 in good health, and we make the most of it. You’ve got to focus on all the positives.” Johnny, known as Zoe Ball’s father, also has two sons with Dianne – Dan, 46, and Nick, 48. Dan is 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,” Johnny reveals. Nick is a film writer, recently contributing to the horror film, The Trip, which topped the charts on Netflix. Meanwhile, Zoe, 54, his daughter from his first wife Julia, who tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer in April 2024, is “in a good place,” according to Johnny. Zoe stepped down from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show to present a Saturday afternoon programme on the same station. “I think she’s in a good place now,” he said. “Her new career is going from strength to strength, because people are realising now that she’s available for other ideas.” And Johnny himself is brimming with ideas, explaining: “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, is Zoe’s son with DJ Norman Cook – they also have a daughter, Nelly, 15. They are two of Johnny’s six grandchildren. Johnny featured on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside Zoe and Woody back in 2023 and had audiences in fits of laughter when questioned about whether he’d ever appear on Love Island. “Erm, I might find it exhausting at my age, to be honest,” he responded, before quipping: “Because I wouldn’t like to leave anybody out.” What’s more, Johnny, who separated from Zoe’s mother when she was two-and-a-half, is eager for another opportunity to tackle Strictly. In 2012, at 74, he held the record as the programme’s eldest participant, though he surrendered that distinction to Angela Rippon, who dazzled audiences in 2023 at 78. He’s now determined to reclaim his title, declaring: “I could do Strictly now at 87.” Evidently, Johnny sees plenty of room for more escapades. He is currently putting the finishing touches on the second part of his autobiography – a sequel to Johnny Ball – My Previous Life in Comedy – due out in March. “I did two gigs last week,” he pointed out. “It’s a joy to be still working. They will have to nail the lid down when I go!” As an ambassador for the Remember A Charity organisation, which encourages individuals to bequeath donations to charitable causes in their wills, Johnny emphasises the importance of arranging your personal matters. And contributing something to a worthy cause. “We’re all part of a great human relay race,” he noted. “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.” For more information on leaving a gift to charity in your will, visit: https://www.rememberacharity.org.uk.
