Johnny Ball reveals secret prostate cancer battle

Johnny Ball, the 87-year-old children's television presenter known for Play School and Think Of A Number, has revealed that he has been secretly battling prostate cancer. The veteran broadcaster said he was diagnosed in August 2022 and has been undergoing treatment, including daily radiation that began weeks after his diagnosis. He says he is through it and doing fine.

In an interview with The Mirror, Ball described his treatment course: "First I was diagnosed... after three months of daily radiation treatment, starting in September, I'm through it, I'm fine." He noted that he has annual health checks, that he feels fortunate, and that some friends didn't survive their battles. He also described his current fitness routine, emphasizing a seven-minute daily regimen comprising a two-and-a-half-minute gentle bending and stretching session, followed by two sessions with two 2kg dumbbells totaling about two and a half minutes. He credits diet and light physical activity with maintaining his fitness.

Ball, who has long been associated with classic kids' shows, remains a family man. He is married to his second wife, Dianne, a former dance teacher, and the couple marked their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They have two sons, Dan, 46, a civil engineer, and Nick, 48, who writes films, including the horror movie The Trip that reached number one on Netflix. Ball is also a father to Zoe, 54, who was born to his first wife Julia, who died in April 2024 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Johnny also has six grandchildren, including Zoe's son Woody, 24.

The broadcaster's family story is intertwined with Zoe's public grief. Earlier this month, Zoe fought back tears as she spoke about her mother's death on the Persephonica podcast Dig It with Jo Whiley, describing an emotional breakdown that forced time off from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show. She shared how a doctor helped her seek support, and she described the year following Julia's passing as brutal. Zoe has spoken openly about leaning on loved ones and not being afraid to cry during the grieving process.

In public health terms, prostate cancer remains a major concern in the United Kingdom and beyond. More than 11,800 men die of the disease in Britain each year — about one every 45 minutes — placing it behind only lung and bowel cancers in mortality. Across the Atlantic, roughly 26,000 men die annually from prostate cancer in the United States. Despite the high toll, research funding for prostate cancer trails breast cancer by a wide margin, and treatments continue to evolve slowly. Each year, more than 52,300 men in the UK are diagnosed with the disease, equating to more than 140 diagnoses per day.

The disease often develops slowly, with many men showing no symptoms for years. When detected early and treated promptly, some patients can be cured; later diagnoses may lead to metastatic disease where treatment focuses on symptom relief. Testing remains imperfect: a PSA blood test is available to most men over 50 but is not fully reliable, and biopsies are not foolproof. People with concerns can contact Prostate Cancer UK's specialist nurses at 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org for information.