3 hours ago
1
Zoe Ball's father, Johnny Ball, has admitted he doesn't 'have long left' as he reflected on his past prostate cancer battle.
Last year, the TV personality, 87, revealed he was diagnosed in August 2022 and underwent treatment, confirming he had 'got through it' and was now 'doing fine'.
And despite facing a challenging few years, the children's TV legend has said he remains upbeat and feels content with life.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: 'I’ve been kicked in the teeth in every possible way by life and by situations and by people.
'But I still cannot help but smile. I have my wife, my dog, my life. I'm very happy with my life. I'm happy that I'm still fit at 87.
He added: 'By rights, I don’t have long left, I want to spend it with a smile on my face.'
Zoe Ball's father, Johnny Ball, has admitted he doesn't 'have long left' as he reflected on his past prostate cancer battle (pictured 2018)
Johnny shot to fame in the 1960s, fronting BBC children's show Play School, and despite a career spanning seven decades, he shows no signs of slowing down.
He has now written a second memoir, Stories That Must Be Told!, which is set to be released on March 28.
Elsewhere in the interview, Johnny revealed that when he was first diagnosed, he spent several days unsure of how serious the illness was.
He said he and his wife Dianne even discussed whether he might be 'coming to the end', admitting he felt 'quite pleased' in a way that he had come to terms with it.
At the time, he considered 'cashing in' and finishing long-held ideas, before doctors reassured him he would undergo radiation treatment and recover.
Reflecting on his recovery, Johnny said coming through cancer is a wonderful relief and feels like he has been 'blessed with more years'.
In September last year, Johnny revealed he had been secretly battling prostate cancer as he spoke publicly about his diagnosis for the first time.
At the time, Johnny said he felt 'lucky' as his daily radiation treatment started just weeks after being diagnosed.
Last year, the TV personality, 87, revealed he was diagnosed in August 2022 and underwent treatment, confirming he had 'got through it' and was now 'doing fine' (pictured with daughter Zoe in 2005)
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: 'I’ve been kicked in the teeth in every possible way by life and by situations and by people. But I still cannot help but smile. I have my wife, my dog, my life' (pictured with wife Dianne in 2012)
He told 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.'
Father-of-three Johnny, who has annual health checks, does not take surviving prostate cancer for granted as some of his friends 'didn't survive'.
The presenter also revealed how he keeps 'incredibly fit' by doing a simple seven-minute workout routine and watching his diet.
He told the publication: '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.'
He also explained that his diet has played a role in his fitness as he enjoys 'cereal with prunes' for breakfast and joked he likes 'two pints' of beer in the evening.
The much-loved TV presenter is well known as the face of classic kids' shows Play School and Think Of A Number.
Johnny is happily married to his second wife, Dianne, a former dance teacher, and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
The couple share two sons, Dan, 46, a civil engineer, and Nick, 48, who writes films - most recently working on the horror film, The Trip, which reached number one on Netflix.
Meanwhile, his former Radio 2 presenter daughter Zoe, 55, he welcomed with his first wife Julia, who died in April 2024 from pancreatic cancer.
Johnny also has six grandchildren, including Zoe's son Woody, 24.
WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER?
How many people does it kill?
More than 11,800 men a year - or one every 45 minutes - are killed by the disease in Britain, compared with about 11,400 women dying of breast cancer.
It means prostate cancer is behind only lung and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain.
In the US, the disease kills 26,000 men each year.
Despite this, it receives less than half the research funding of breast cancer and treatments for the disease are trailing at least a decade behind.
How many men are diagnosed annually?
Every year, upwards of 52,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK - more than 140 every day.
How quickly does it develop?
Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs someone has it for many years, according to the NHS.
If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, a policy of 'watchful waiting' or 'active surveillance' may be adopted.
Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages.
But if it is diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, then it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms.
Thousands of men are put off seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects from treatment, including erectile dysfunction.
Tests and treatment
Tests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools only just beginning to emerge.
There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate.
Doctors struggle to distinguish between aggressive and less serious tumours, making it hard to decide on treatment.
Men over 50 are eligible for a ‘PSA’ blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk.
But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result are usually given a biopsy which is also not fool-proof.
Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks.
Anyone with any concerns can speak to Prostate Cancer UK's specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org
English (US) ·