Zoe Ball has paid a heartfelt tribute to her late mother and marked the first birthday since her death.

The BBC Radio 2 host, 53, announced that her mother Julia, 74, had passed away  in April following a cancer diagnosis.

Zoe shared earlier this year that a funeral had taken place but on Friday in a tribute, told fans the past few months had been 'harder than I could ever have imagined'.

The DJ took to Instagram to pay tribute to her late mother on her birthday. 

The post included a photo of Julia, who was seen smiling, along with an emotional statement.

Zoe wrote: 'Happy heavenly birthday Mama. Your beautiful beaming smile shining down on our hearts always but boy, losing you is harder than I could ever have imagined. Holding on so tight, letting the tears come & wishing on the stars.'

The post has been met with an outpouring of support and stars including Loose Women' Ruth Langdsford shared their love for the BBC star.

Ruth posted underneath the photo: 'Sending you love and a huge hug. Hold your memories close.'

Gaby Roslin - who briefly covered for Zoe on her BBC Radio 2 show following her mother's death wrote: 'Darling Zoe, sending you the tightest hugs and so much love always.' 

Claudia Winkleman, Denise Van Outen and Rylan Clark all reacted to Zoe's post with heart emojis.

Zoe announced in April she had been left 'bereft' following the death of her 'dear mama' Julia.

The BBC Radio 2 star announced in early March that her mother had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was being 'incredibly brave'.

But in April delivered the devastating news that she had tragically passed away. 

She wrote at the time: 'Sleep tight dear Mama. thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts. 

'We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other. your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us.' 

Zoe's son Woody Cook from her marriage to Norman Cook - better known as British DJ Fatboy Slim - also shared a tribute on Instagram.

He wrote alongside a picture with his grandmother: 'Today I say goodbye to Granny J, thank you for being a wonderful woman.

'The only person who always sent me a valentines card. I know you're with Rick now, give him a hug from me.

'I know he said once when you were panicking in a helicopter over the Jungle 'If you get lost, follow the river!' You'll find him at the end.' 

Zoe has been beset by hardship over the last few years.

Following the breakdown of her marriage to Fatboy Slim, Zoe found love again with her partner Billy Yates, but their relationship was also not set to last.

After a long battle with depression, Mr Yates, 40, took his own life in May 2017 at his home in Putney, London.

The Radio 2 presenter previously told how she felt 'really grateful' he had said goodbye to her the last time she saw him.

Fighting back tears as she spoke about their final moments together, she said: 'He got on his bike and he cycled off and he turned round and he blew me a kiss goodbye, and that was the last time I saw him.'

She added: 'It was just that moment and that feeling of ''Oh my god I love him so much, we'll find some help and it will all be okay.''

'And I wish I'd told him that.'

A year after his death, Zoe took part in a gruelling Sport Relief challenge to cycle 350 miles in five days in his memory and to raise awareness of mental health issues.

In May the star paid tribute just a week after confirming the tragic death of her mother Julia.

Following his death, Zoe said she had been 'in shock for two years' following the loss.

In May, alongside a snap of Billy, the radio host wrote: '7 years kisses in the sky'.