In a deeply personal revelation that has touched the hearts of fans nationwide, beloved children's television presenter Johnny Ball has opened up about the painful family estrangement that prevented him from seeing his famous grandson, Declan Donnelly, for several formative years.
The 86-year-old star, known for making science fun for generations of British children, shared the emotional story during a candid interview on the How to Be 60 podcast with presenter Kaye Adams.
The Painful Separation
Ball revealed that following his divorce from Dec's grandmother in the early 1980s, a painful family rift developed that created an unbridgeable gap between him and his daughter's family. "When my marriage ended, I didn't see Dec for quite a few years," the veteran broadcaster confessed, his voice tinged with emotion.
This separation meant missing out on crucial moments in his grandson's childhood, a loss that clearly still weighs heavily on the television legend. The family breakdown created a chasm during the very years when Dec was growing up and developing the personality that would later make him a household name.
Rebuilding Broken Bridges
Thankfully, time has helped heal these family wounds. Ball expressed profound gratitude that he now enjoys a "wonderful" relationship with both his daughter and the grandson he was once separated from.
"We're all very close now," he shared, offering a hopeful note to others experiencing family estrangements. His story serves as a powerful reminder that even the deepest family rifts can sometimes be mended with patience and understanding.
A Legacy of Entertainment
The Ball family represents a remarkable entertainment dynasty spanning generations. Johnny became a national treasure through his groundbreaking children's science programmes in the 1970s and 80s, while his daughter, Dec's mother Anne, worked as a costume designer.
Now, of course, Dec has carved his own legendary status in British television alongside presenting partner Ant McPartlin. The fact that this beloved entertainment duo emerged from such a complex family background adds a poignant layer to their national treasure status.
Ball's emotional confession provides a rare glimpse behind the curtain of celebrity family life, reminding us that even the most successful families can face painful challenges behind the scenes.
