'She would have loved it': Zoe Ball reveals her mum's funeral has taken place
Zoe Ball has paid a touching tribute to her late mum Julia after bidding a final farewell to her at her funeral on Wednesday.
The BBC Radio 2 presenter, 53, confirmed last month that her beloved parent had died 12 weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday to share a slew of throwback family photos, she reflected that while Julia’s sendoff had been tough, ultimately it was the "perfect" day.
She wrote: "Yesterday we said goodbye to our dear Mama, Granny J. It was the perfect day and she would have loved it, forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic & love. Missing you so much but holding tight to each other.
"Thank you to everyone who sent kind messages, cards & flowers. Big love to the many of you who have shared with us about your own loss and heartbreak, to those battling with cancer or looking after loved ones affected by cancer. We wish you all the strength and love. And of course the humour you need to keep going. Some days it's so hard to be brave."
She went on to thank her son Woody Cook and her brother Jamie, and revealed they will be fundraising for cancer research in the future as a way of honouring Julia’s memory.
She continued: "Huge gratitude to @stewart_the_celebrant what a superstar he is. To Karen @choirandko to @nelly_co0k @woody_cook Chris, Derek for bravely sharing most fabulous moving eulogies for Mum, love in abundance to Nicky, Sarah, Briony Alex & the team at @pangdeanbarn the most magnificent venue in the foot of the South Downs, Giles at @southdownscellars to dear Ali @gobotanica and @pitfieldbarnflowers and to @woodvalechurch and to David and his team at funeralshh@pandsgallagher.co.uk."
