Zoe Ball has taken to social media to pay tribute to her late boyfriend Billy Yates as she marked the eighth anniversary of his devastating death
Zoe Ball has shared a tearful tribute to her late boyfriend as she marked eight years since his death. The broadcaster, 53, took time away from her Saturday afternoon radio show when her partner, Billy Yates, died aged 40 in May 2017.
Billy, a former camera man, tragically took his own life after battling depression. Following Billy’s death, Zoe revealed she had been “in shock for two years”. Marking the anniversary, Zoe took to her Instagram page to share a snap of her late boyfriend on a motorbike surrounded by the stunning countryside.
“8 years forever in our hearts Billface #mateswithyates,” she wrote alongside a rose, sparkling lights and a heart emoji. Her post which has been liked over 10,000 times was soon flooded with messages of support for the radio and telly star.
Zoe’s daughter, Nelly, who she shares with Fatboy Slim penned: “Miss him everyday x,” to which Zoe replied: “love you squirrel.” Meanwhile, one of Zoe’s friends commented: “How is it 8 years Zoe, funny I was talking to Max about him this morning. Sending you all the love today.” With the star replying: “Oh Lucy. His love lives on in us all eh. squeezes for you and Max.”
“Sending love to you @zoetheball,” wrote one fan. A second added: “Oh Zoe, where has the time gone… Sending love and a squeeze from Shetland.” “Love and prayers sent to you and his friends and family,” added another.
Last year, Zoe opened up about her loss during an interview with Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, admitting she had watched her partner struggle and urged others in a similar situation to reach out for help.
Zoe told Lauren: “I think it’s so isolating to be trapped in your mind like that, when you doubt yourself, you doubt everything you’ve ever known. You doubt your family love you. You doubt your friends care for you.”
She went on to add that it was “important to share there is hope.” Describing Billy, she explained he “was so full of love and would help anyone in need” and insisted he should be “remembered for his life, not his death.” She later revealed she was dedicating the song Do I Love You by Frank Wilson to Billy.
“This track will always remind me of him,” she explained, adding: “He loved to dance and loved to laugh and he brought so much into my life. I wanted to play a piece of music for him that reflected him as a human.” Two years after Billy’s death, Zoe told listeners that his anniversary would make her “knees wobble.”
Speaking on BBC Radio 2, Zoe said: “Anyone who has lost someone dear to them, be it a friend or a family member, will know that these anniversaries have a tendency to make your knees wobble and your heart hurt. With grief, it’s often an every day feeling not just anniversaries. The longer the time without them, the more you miss their ways and their voice in your life. Even though of course they’ll never leave your heart.
“These anniversaries are good as they give you an excuse to just spend some time with your thoughts about them. I wanted to send some dear love to his family today and all weekend, and all his brilliant friends – mates with Yates, who we love to pieces.” Billy, who worked on shows including Antiques Roadshow and The Xtra Factor was found at his home in south London.
At the time, police said they were called to an address in Putney alongside the ambulance service. Billy was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. He had been dating Radio 2 DJ Zoe for several months and was credited with helping give her “a new lease of life” after her split and divorce from husband Norman Cook – better known as the superstar DJ Fatboy Slim.
Billy had battled depression and alcohol abuse for years, quitting drinking in August 2016.
If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply