BBC Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball has revealed that Prince William sent her a touching letter to share with her dying mum, who was in the hospital battling pancreatic cancer
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
View 3 Images
Zoe Ball opens up on Prince William’s ‘beautiful’ gesture to her dying mum(Image: instagram/@zoetheball)
BBC star Zoe Ball has revealed the touching gesture that Prince William made to her dying mum.
The BBC Radio 2 DJ’s mum Julia Peckham tragically passed away in April 2024 following a gruelling battle with pancreatic cancer.
But as Julia lay in her hospital bed, Zoe was able to read her a touching personal letter from the Prince of Wales himself.
Zoe explained that it brought her mum a great deal of comfort in her final days, and the prince wrote a second letter after her mother passed away.
“Prince William wrote to me when my mum was poorly,” Zoe told co-host Jo Whiley on their Dig It! Podcast.
Zoe explained: “He wrote the most beautiful letter and he wrote to me again after we lost mum. There was a really amazing moment when mum was really, really poorly, and I went up to see her. My brother was there. I said, Mum, we’ve had a letter.”
Zoe continued: “I read her Prince William’s letter. And at the time he was going through his own difficulties with both his father and his lovely wife going through their cancer journey. And I thought it was so kind of him to take the time to write. And it meant the world to her. She loved that letter.”
She added that she had been reminded of William’s moving gesture whilst watching his relaxed interview with Canadian comedy actor Eugene Levy on Apple TV.
Zoe explained the only reason the next-in-line to the throne had agreed to the unprecedented one-to-one was because he was a huge fan of bawdy comedy film American Pie. In honour of her late mum, Zoe is set to appear in a celebrity edition of Deal Or No Deal.
She’ll be joined by a “squad” of showbiz mates including her dad, children’s telly presenter Johnny Ball, her son, DJ Woody Cook, and Sally Boazman who handles the traffic and travel updates on her radio programme.
She told Jo: “It’s lucky because I’ve got Woody and my dad. I’ve got Sally Traffic, I’ve got Ian Waite, my lovely dance partner for Strictly Doing It, and Tina Daheley, that’s my squad. And then I’ve got loads of friends and family.
Article continues below
“We’re doing it for pancreatic cancer and the hospice where my mum was. So I’ve got a few of my mum’s friends coming to do it and stuff like that. It felt like a really nice thing to do.”
Pregnant Georgia Harrison is the first Love Islander to get an MBE and was given the honour by Prince William in an investiture at Windsor Castle today
View 4 Images
Georgia Harrison makes history as first Love Island star awarded MBE(Image: PA)
Georgia Harrison has been awarded an MBE for her services to campaigning for better legislation tackling violence against women. The Love Island star has made history as the first of the show’s contestants to be given the honour.
Georgia appeared on the third season of the hit ITV show and the first of spin-off show Love Island: All Stars. In 2020, in between her two stints, the 30-year-old discovered her ex partner Stephen Bear had shared CCTV footage of their sexual encounter without her consent and both reported it to the police and filed a civil claim for misuse of private information.
In the civil claim, he was ordered to pay £207,900 in compensation to Georgia, which she planned to donate to charities that support victims of image-based sexual abuse. But this was not paid and in March 2024, Chelmsford Crown Court held a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing and gave Stephen a confiscation order of £22,305 that came from profits he made from the video. From this, Georgia was compensated £5000.
In the criminal case, Stephen was found guilty of voyeurism and two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films without consent. He was jailed for 21 months in 2023, after he uploaded footage of the two of them to OnlyFans, and was released in January of this year.
During the trial in 2021, Georgia waived her right to anonymity to show other victims of sexually-based offences that she stood with them, and said she hoped “one day, girls can look at me and think ‘She went in there and done, she was strong, we can do it too'”.
Following this, Georgia kicked off a campaign with the Thames Valley Police to get people talking about consent. While revenge porn was already criminalised, the law stipulated that prosecutors had to prove there was an intention to humiliate the victim, but thanks to Georgia’s campaigning, that clause was removed.
It’s this that she has been honoured for. She was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by Prince William on Wednesday (8 October) in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
On being made an MBE, Georgia said: “It was such an amazing opportunity, and I’m really grateful, and I’m 100% going to continue to step up in my campaigning. And if anything, this is going to be something that really drives me to continue to evoke change for women everywhere, and I’m really grateful to be given such responsibility.”
She said that while being honoured on Wednesday, the Prince of Wales told her he had followed her story. She said: “I feel exhilarated. I just didn’t realise how magical the moment was going to be. First of all, I was so happy when I found out it was Prince William.
“I really was hoping that he might be one of the people who was giving it and, you know, I had really found when I was receiving the award, that he took such a genuine interest in everything that I’d done, been following my story, and that really meant a lot to me.”
Over the past few years, Georgia, who is expecting her first child, has also campaigned to reduce violence against women and girls, especially for those who have suffered from image-based abuse. Her experiences being the victim of revenge porn sparked a national debate on misogyny in the UK and the star even went on to make two ITV documentaries – Revenge Porn and Porn, Power, Profit.
Speaking in Revenge Porn, she said: “Two years ago, my life changed forever when CCTV footage of me having sex with Stephen Bear went viral. He filmed and shared it without my consent then tried to deny it was me…
“I think I expected some form of empathy, remorse, maybe that he would realise what he had done… what a slap in the face that on top of everything, he thought he could lie his way publicly through this.”
Georgia shared her delight at being recognised by the King’s Honours list on social media. She wrote: “I am beyond honoured to be listed to receive an MBE!!
“I’m so grateful to anyone who has reach out to congratulate me and also to all of you who have shared and continue to share your stories with me along the way. I am continuously reading them all, taking on board your experiences and using them as both fuel and knowledge for my campaigning.
Article continues below
“My experience changed me in many ways but one of those ways was that I became a voice for the women that can’t be heard. I always promise to rise to the opportunities that seek my help within regulating the digital space and do my best to make change where possible”
Prince William spoke out about the huge TV hit that his family are “very much looking forward” to watching as he presented a TV industry figure with his OBE at an investiture ceremony
View 4 Images
Prince William (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Prince William has revealed the runaway hit TV show that his family is “very much looking forward” as it returns to screens tonight.
The Prince of Wales said that The Celebrity Traitors is going to be a “big treat” for him, wife Kate, and their children as he presented TV executive Stephen Lambert with an honour at Windsor Castle. Mr Lambert, the founder and chief executive of Studio Lambert – the production company behind The Traitors, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) this morning. The Celebrity Traitors launches tonight, with a cast of 19 famous faces, including comedian Alan Carr, retired Olympic diver Tom Daley and actor and TV host Sir Stephen Fry.
The show, presented by Claudia Winkleman, sees contestants try to detect the traitors in the group while completing a series of challenges to win funds to contribute towards the prize pot.
If, at the end of the series, a traitor is left among the finalists, the faithfuls – those who are not traitors – lose out on the money and the traitor wins the full prize.
Mr Lambert, 66, said: “My award is for services to television, and we started talking about Celebrity Traitors, which launches tonight. He said he and the family were very much looking forward to watching it. It was going to be a big treat for them and probably for the nation, he expected.
“And I told him about the fact that our celebrities have entered into the game with great seriousness. So, they’re not just doing it because it’s a chance for them to be celebrities on television, but because they actually love the game, but also because they are the talented people they are, so they’re also very funny, and I think it’s extremely entertaining television.”
Lambert added he and his team were “blown away by the quality of the people that were interested in doing the first season of Celebrity Traitors”.
He said: “Quite often when a show is announced as a celebrity version of something, many people haven’t actually heard of the celebrities that take part. In this case, nearly everybody who took part is well known.
“I mean people like Stephen Fry and Alan Carr and Celia Imrie, and list goes on, Clare Balding, Tom Daley, it’s extraordinary. They’re all people that everybody knows about. And so, I think, that if the show is as popular as we hope it is, and people like it as much as we hope they do, then there’s a good chance we’ll get equally good, if not even more famous, people the next time.”
Asked why he thinks The Traitors has been such a hit, he said: “I think it’s a game that people love watching and playing. I think that the players like it because it gives them licence, if they’re the traitors, to lie.
“Quite often in reality game shows, people end up being good and bad, and the bad ones are the ones that sort of lie and are sort of devious, here, they’re given licence to do that, it’s a bit like playing poker.
“You know, you’re allowed to lie, and so people don’t judge you badly for being a treacherous traitor in not telling the truth. And I think the audience partly love it, because it’s a classic case of dramatic irony. We know what’s going on better than the players.”
Studio Lambert is also behind Gogglebox, Race Across The World and Squid Game: The Challenge. Mr Lambert began his career at the BBC in the early 1980s, producing documentaries from around the world, including many filmed in conflict zones.
In 1994, he became the founding editor of the BBC Two documentary strand Modern Times, before joining RDF Media in 1998 as its first director of programmes, where he was responsible for factual entertainment series such as Faking It, Wife Swap and The Secret Millionaire.
Article continues below
He founded Studio Lambert in 2008 with backing from All3Media. Undercover Boss became the company’s first success, running for 11 seasons on CBS and earning multiple Primetime Emmy Awards.
In 2013, Studio Lambert launched Gogglebox for Channel 4, now one of the network’s most beloved and enduring series and, more recently, The Traitors and Race Across The World, which have become two of BBC One’s highest-rated shows, while Squid Game: The Challenge found global success on Netflix.
Brooklyn Peltz-Beckham has once again found himself in a tense legal battle, this time with a major footwear corporation, relating to his hot sauce firm, Cloud23
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
View 4 Images
Brooklyn Beckham has faced another hurdle(Image: Getty Images for Glenfiddich X A)
Brooklyn Peltz-Beckham is caught up in another legal war. The entrepreneur has already been in several clashes with his business Buster Hot Sauce Inc, surrounding the name of his condiment, Cloud 23.
It was reported earlier this year that Brooklyn, 26, had faced a legal fight from an alcoholic brand surrounding his business. He later faced issues with his sauce and different brands with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
But a huge footwear brand has taken issue with Brooklyn’s latest business venture, and drafted in hefty lawyers. On Cloud, which produces shoe soles with holes in them, which has been backed by tennis legend Roger Federer, has taken objection to Brooklyn’s trademark.
The company raised an objection against Cloud23 for classifications including food, alcohol, sauces, live streaming and sports equipment. On Cloud had called in Bristows LLP in order to fight their objection.
But the issue was resolved amicably, On Cloud chose not to continue with their objection threat, and the trademark was later registered. Brooklyn previously went up against Becks beers, over his own burger brand – Beck’s Buns, reports The Sun.
However, the issue was resolved when Brooklyn’s brand agreed to remove the two classifications which related to alcoholic beverages. Meanwhile, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars also took aim when Brooklyn tried to register a trademark for a shortened version of its brand, C23.
He also later decided to remove any classifications which related to alcohol. He launched Cloud 23 last year, saying: “It’s been a passion project of mine for the last 2 and a half years, something I’ve literally put everything into.
“I’ve never worked so hard on anything in my life.” Brooklyn’s famous family attended the launch event, but since then, relations have become strained. This year, he has missed out on huge family celebrations, including his dad’s 50th birthday, his dad being knighted and the birthdays of his siblings.
In a brutal twist, his family were not there when he renewed his vows to Nicola Peltz-Beckham over this summer, reportedly without telling his own relatives. The Beckhams have remained tight lipped on the fallout despite it gripping public attention.
However, Lady Victoria has made a rather cryptic comment about family feuds as she spoke of Liam and Noel Gallagher’s Oasis reunion after years of them not speaking. “I just think their mum must be so happy,” she told The Sunday Times.
“It must have been really tough on the mum, the boys not talking for all those years. And I just think as a mum, that must be… she must feel so happy to see her boys getting on.”
As Victoria’s comment came to light, Brooklyn took to his social media where he shared a loved-up snap with Nicola alongside a gushing comment. The couple posed for a selfie, with Nicola blowing a kiss to the camera.
Brooklyn wrote: “Date night with my girl @nicolaannepeltzbeckham [red love heart].” This week, the Beckhams came together to support Victoria’s fashion show at Paris Fashion Week without Brooklyn.
Article continues below
David and Victoria’s eldest son was notably absent as they were joined by sons Cruz, 20, Romeo, 22, and daughter Harper, 14. Victoria is also gearing up for the release of her own Netflix documentary this week.
The Duchess of Sussex has been mocked online after eagle-eyed royal fans noticed she was holding her jam-making equipment upside down
Meghan Markle has left royal fans baffled by a strange post to promote her latest drop with her lifestyle brand As Ever.
Before jetting off to France for Paris Fashion Week, the Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram oto reveal a new product – a 2024 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand – as well as a restock of her apricot spread and orange marmalade. To promote the launch, Meghan shared new photographs of herself posing candidly in the kitchen of her Montecito mansion in California, using canning equipment to pull a jar of jam out of a large saucepan on the stove.
READ MORE: Prince William’s real reason why he only mentioned Prince Harry once in candid chatREAD MORE: Prince William and Kate Middleton’s non-negotiable parenting rules including strict ban
But eagle-eyed royal fans were quick to notice a peculiar detail in Meghan’s jam-making photographs, which first appeared on her As Ever website. Taking to social media in droves, fans pointed out that Meghan appeared to be holding her equipment “upside down”, with some even joking it was her “first time” attempting to make the product.
Meghan appeared to be holding the curved end of the lifter – which is specially shaped for lifting jars – instead of the black rubber handles.
One person wrote online: “OMG! She’s holding the jar lifter upside down!!!” while another experienced jam maker said: “She’s using the jar lifter wrong! I’ve been canning for years.”
Many were quick to question that Meghan’s inexperience using the equipment speaks directly against the fact that the jams have long been marketed as being “inspired by the recipe she crafted in her home kitchen”.
Another person noted: “You’d SO use the back burner and hold the clamp upside down,” while one more fan wrote: “Here’s Meghan acting like she personally cans all the jars at her home. How authentic. Must be her first time. I did the same thing and was corrected by my mother.”
The jar tongs Meghan was using in the picture are traditionally used to safely lift hot jars and cans from boiling water, especially when canning jars at home.
The post comes after Meghan quietly announced her new As Ever wine, just days before heading to Paris for an appearance at the Balenciaga show for fashion week.
Meghan subtly announced the new offering with a coded post on social media, with the caption reading: “We heard you missed us. We’re back…and we brought a friend.”
The official As Ever website revealed more about the white wine, which is the third varietal of wine available for sale from the Duchess of Sussex’s brand.
“Our first Sauvignon Blanc is bright and balanced, with citrus aromatics, a smooth finish, and refreshing versatility,” an official description says. “Crafted for everyday dinners and celebratory gatherings alike, this thoughtfully made wine is perfect for sharing, gifting, and savouring in every season.”
Strictly Come Dancing legend Anton Du Beke has been a part of the show since it began in 2004, and has seen many changes over the years – but he’s still going strong
View 3 Images
Anton Du Beke says he’s struggling to remember some of his choreography(Image: ITV)
Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke, who will be celebrating his 60th birthday next July, still has the agility of a man in his 30s on the dance floor.
Anton, who has been a part of every series of Strictly since its inception in 2004 – initially as a professional dancer and then as a judge from 2021 – confesses that one aspect of his craft is becoming somewhat of a “struggle” with age.
Speaking to Woman’s Weekly, he revealed how he’s always kept himself physically fit: “I know my body. I have got a good understanding of it.
“I tend to push myself, but I don’t try and break myself. Consistency is key. I feel blessed. People half my age are struggling with certain bits. I’m very fortunate I don’t. I’ve looked after myself and I haven’t been silly.”
However, while executing the steps isn’t an issue, remembering their sequence can be tricky: “Remembering what comes next is a bit of a lottery! That’s more of a struggle,” Anton admitted.
One thing that keeps Anton in shape is chasing after his twins George and Henrietta, whom he and his wife Hannah Summers welcomed in 2017.
As “slightly older parents,” both Anton and his wife Hannah Summers appreciate being able to participate in sports with their children as they grow stronger and bigger.
“One of the joys of being my age and having children is, it keeps you young,” he said.
He also shared that his daughter Henrietta is passionate about horse riding, while his son George shows more interest in football and rugby.
The twins are also admirers of their father’s literary works. Anton expanded his repertoire in 2018, launching his Buckingham Hotel series of novels.
The eighth instalment, A Winter Ball, is set for release later this month.
Alongside his adult fiction, he’s penned several children’s books in recent years, acknowledging he values “getting a steer” from his youngsters on what captures their interest.
Anton made a permanent transition from the Strictly dance floor to the judging panel in 2021, following temporary cover for Motsi Mabuse during Covid restrictions.
