Zoe Ball’s father Johnny, 87, says ‘I don’t have long left’ and admits ‘I’ve been kicked in the teeth in every possible way by life’ as he reflects on prostate cancer battle after receiving the all-clear last year

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Zoe Ball’s father, Johnny Ball, has shared that he doesn’t expect to live much longer, as he remembers his experience fighting prostate cancer.

The 87-year-old TV star announced last year that he received a diagnosis in August 2022 and completed treatment. He shared that he had successfully overcome the health challenge and was now doing well.

Even though the past few years have been difficult, the beloved children’s TV personality says he’s still positive and happy with his life.

He told The Mirror that he’s faced a lot of hardship and disappointment in his life, from difficult circumstances and the actions of others.

Even so, I find myself smiling. I have my wife, my dog, and a good life, and I’m very content. I’m also grateful to still be healthy and active at 87.

He added: ‘By rights, I don’t have long left, I want to spend it with a smile on my face.’ 

Johnny became well-known in the 1960s as the host of the BBC’s Play School, and after working for over seventy years, he’s still actively performing.

He’s releasing his second memoir, titled Stories That Must Be Told!, on March 28th.

During the interview, Johnny also shared that he was initially confused about the severity of his diagnosis and spent a few days trying to understand how sick he was.

He shared that he and his wife, Dianne, had even talked about the possibility of his nearing the end of his life, and he surprisingly felt a sense of peace and acceptance about it.

He briefly thought about retiring and pursuing personal projects, but doctors convinced him that radiation treatment would help him get better.

After recovering, Johnny expressed immense relief and gratitude, saying he felt like cancer had given him extra time with a precious gift of more years.

Last September, Johnny publicly shared that he had been privately fighting prostate cancer, revealing his diagnosis for the first time.

When Johnny began his daily radiation treatment shortly after his diagnosis, he described feeling ‘lucky’.

He shared with The Mirror that he received a prostate cancer diagnosis in August 2022. Fortunately, after three months of daily radiation treatment beginning in September, he’s now recovered and doing well.

Johnny, a father of three, is grateful to be a prostate cancer survivor, especially knowing some of his friends weren’t so lucky. He prioritizes his health with yearly check-ups.

The presenter shared that he stays in great shape by following a quick seven-minute workout and eating a healthy diet.

He explained that he starts with a quick two-and-a-half-minute stretching and bending routine. Then, he spends another two and a half minutes lifting a pair of 2kg dumbbells.

‘My daily routine is six to seven minutes at the most, but it keeps me incredibly fit.’

He shared that his eating habits contribute to his fitness, mentioning his breakfast of cereal with prunes and jokingly adding that he enjoys a couple of beers each evening.

Everyone remembers this popular TV presenter from beloved children’s programs like Play School and Think Of A Number.

Johnny and his wife, Dianne, a retired dance teacher, recently marked their 50th wedding anniversary. They are happily married.

The couple has two sons: Nick, 48, a screenwriter who recently worked on the hit Netflix horror film, The Trip, and Dan, 46, a civil engineer.

His daughter, Zoe, 55, a former presenter on Radio 2, was born to his first wife, Julia, who sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer in April 2024.

Johnny also has six grandchildren, including Zoe’s son Woody, 24. 

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2026-03-21 12:49