BBC icon Johnny Ball makes ‘daunting’ ageing confession | UK News

BBC veteran Johnny Ball has made a candid confession about getting old just three years after he was identified with prostate cancer. The 87-year-old presenter, best identified for presenting the kids’s TV show Play School, has urged older generations to reclaim the day by studying to adapt to the online world. Ball, who is the proud father of fellow presenter Zoe Ball, has joined forces with BT Group and UK charity AbilityNet to assist older people who are being left behind when it comes to basic online duties.  

In a brutally sincere interview, the presenter confessed that he has discovered himself left behind in phrases of fashionable technology. This consists of simple duties such as making GP appointments or paying for parking, many of which have transitioned to online platforms.

He confessed: “I spent the best part of 50 years helping people’s children understand science and maths in a fun, engaging way, but now it’s the turn of today’s parents I hope to influence in learning about technology, in order to make their everyday lives easier.

“For some, basic skills like booking a GP appointment or paying for your parking, using modern technology can seem daunting. I also feel that at times. It used to take me days to do basic online tasks that should take minutes.

“I still need help to do some things. For example, for sending WhatsApp messages and other social media, I often learn from my wife Di or daughter Zoe.” Despite his difficulties, he explained that he’s beginning to overcome many of the online challenges he faces, permitting him to really feel more impartial.

He added: “But the more skills you have the more confidence you feel, so that with practice you’ll find you will be able to reclaim much of the time you took grappling with an app or a website.

“Take it from me, digital tasks are easier than you think. So, like me, you will feel a huge sense of achievement and joy when you get to the point of doing something new, comfortably.”

His feedback observe the BT Group’s revelation that fears surrounding digital security are holding many older people back. A 3rd of over-65s say the rise in online scams makes them reluctant to perform online duties.

Speaking about the marketing campaign, BT Group’s Responsible Business Director, Richard Mash, said: “Johnny Ball has opened the world of maths and science to millions of children.

“It’s a privilege to work alongside him and to help empower those in his generation who are eager to embrace new skills. Our research shows that older people who lack confidence online are losing hours grappling with new technology.

“By enrolling in one of our free courses with AbilityNet, they can learn these simple skills, reclaim their time, and not feel so left behind.” To discover out more about BT Group and AbilityNet’s free digital abilities assist, head to https://abilitynet.org.uk/BTDigitalSkills