Johnny Ball, 87, Thrives and Laughs Post Cancer Battle
Johnny Ball, 87, thrives and laughs post cancer battle, telling Filmogaz.com he feels happier than ever. He spoke from his south Buckinghamshire home about health, family and work.
Health update and outlook
Ball was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022. He received radiation treatment and announced an all-clear last year.
He described relief at recovery and said the experience made him value time with loved ones. He remains upbeat and physically active.
Views on assisted dying
He opposes assisted dying on precautionary grounds. He worries about coercion and financial motives influencing decisions.
Ball invoked the ancient example of Eratosthenes, who refused food in old age. He used it to illustrate ethical complexities around ending life.
Career and new memoir
His television career began in the 1960s and now spans seven decades. He is a BAFTA winner known for engaging children with maths and science.
- Play School
- Think of a Number
- Think Again and Play Away
His second memoir, Stories That Must Be Told!, is published by The Book Guild Ltd. The book is priced at £10.99 and is out on March 28.
Family life and public roles
He celebrated a golden wedding anniversary with his wife, Dianne, last year. They have three children: Zoe, Dan and Nick.
Zoe, from his first marriage, co-parents with her ex-husband Norman Cook. Their children, Woody and Nelly, live nearby for flexible parenting.
Education and public service
Ball has long campaigned for stronger maths teaching. He said binary numbers were removed from the English curriculum in 2000, which he criticises.
He worked on curriculum committees with Tony Blair’s government in 2000 and later with Michael Gove. He said he remains willing to advise politicians, including Sir Keir Starmer.
He keeps busy with hobbies such as making garden gazebos. Above all, he says he wants to spend his remaining years smiling and enjoying family life.
