Zoe Ball seemed emotional as she discussed her family’s sad loss during a chat with Gabby Logan about the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards today. The 51-year-old began by explaining how former winner Doddie Weir’s campaign on finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease was close to her heart.
She told her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show listeners that the ex rugby union star had raised over £1 million for Doddie Aid, founded by Rob Wainwright.
“Hopefully one day we will find a cure,” the presenter added.
She went on to say that her stepdad had died from the disease in 2012.
“It’s a real special day in my family today,” she continued.
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Following the devastating news, Johnny said he and his wife had been constantly messaging her to check she’s OK.
He told The Sun at the time: “If she was next door we would pop round and say ‘Are you OK?’ but we’re 60 miles away.
“So we text asking: ‘Are you OK? Keep your pecker up. Come on, be strong’.”
Speaking two months after Billy’s death, he added: “She’s started work again and the attention that needs takes her mind from dark thoughts.”