Zoe Ball's famous father Johnny opens up on heartbreaking cancer battle

Beloved children's TV icon Johnny Ball has bravely opened up about his secret battle with prostate cancer. The 87-year-old, who first graced our screens as a presenter on Play School in 1967, revealed to 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."

Despite having regular check-ups, Johnny doesn't take surviving prostate cancer lightly. He reflects: "My friend Harry Secombe didn't survive it, Bob Monkhouse didn't survive it. I'm 20 years younger than them, and I am lucky, because now we can cure it." Remembering the loss of Goon Show star Secombe in 2001, aged 79, and Opportunity Knocks host Monkhouse in 2003, aged 75, he adds: "You've got to cash in on what's wonderful about life today and stop dwelling on what's dreary and depressing."

Johnny also maintains a strict health regimen, including a daily diet and exercise routine. He shares: "First, I do a simple bending and stretching routine that lasts about two and a half minutes, the speed at which I do it. And then, I lift my two 2kg dumbbells for two and a half minutes.

The father-of-three, whose additional television appearances include fronting the award-winning children's mathematics and science programme Think Of A Number, remains active professionally - primarily delivering educational presentations in schools and on stage.

He declares, "I would never retire. It's a joy to still be working."

Johnny recently celebrated his golden wedding anniversary with his second spouse, Dianne, a former dance instructor whom he describes as his "soul mate."

Speaking from their Buckinghamshire residence, which they occupy alongside their cocker spaniel, Holly, he remarks 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."

However, as an ambassador for the Remember A Charity organisation, which encourages individuals to bequeath donations to charitable causes in their wills, despite savouring his robust health - particularly as someone who has survived cancer - Johnny emphasises the importance of arranging your personal matters and contributing something to a worthy cause. He says: "We're all part of a great human relay race. 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."

He made an appearance on Celebrity Gogglebox with Zoe and Woody back in 2023, leaving viewers in fits of laughter when asked if he would ever consider participating in Love Island, to which he responded: "Erm, I might find it exhausting at my age, to be honest."

He then added: "Because I wouldn't like to leave anybody out."

Johnny, who parted ways with Zoe's mum when she was just two-and-a-half, is keen for another shot at Strictly.

In 2012, at the age of 74, he was the oldest contestant on the show, a title he later lost to Angela Rippon, who dazzled audiences in 2023 at the ripe age of 78. Now, he's eager to reclaim his title, stating: "I could do Strictly now at 87."