Zoe Ball pays heartbreaking tribute to her late partner on anniversary of his tragic death and shares touching message

Scottish Sun

06-05-2025

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ZOE Ball has posted a heartbreaking tribute to her late partner to mark the eight-year anniversary of his death.
It came after the BBC Radio 2 favourite, 54, returned to the station following her decision to quit the Breakfast Show.
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Zoe Ball has posted a heartbreaking tribute to her late partner eight years after his death
Credit: PA
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Zoe uploaded her emotional picture and caption tribute to Billy on Instagram
Credit: Instagram/ZoeBall
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The cameraman took his own life in 2017
Credit: Instagram
In a hugely emotional message uploaded after her broadcasting comeback, Zoe posted a picture of former partner Billy Yates along with the caption: "8 years forever in our hearts Billface."
It showed the cameraman, who passed away in May 2017, donning a blue vest and baseball cap as he perched on the back of a motorbike.
The cameraman and technician had worked on the Antiques Roadshow, The Xtra Factor and Famous and Fearless TV shows to name a few.
The Sun revealed the tragic news that Billy had been found dead at his home in Putney, South London on May 4, 2017, after taking his own life.
In a comment on her recent post, one of Zoe's followers wrote: "It's 8 years for us tomorrow. I always feel weirdly connected to you because we went through the same thing within 24 hours of each other. We have now set up a charity to help children bereaved by suicide. We run the only peer support group in the whole of the UK x"
Zoe then replied: "Oh my goodness. What an incredible positive thing to do to help. for something good to come from such pain. all my love and respect. zo x"
She then replied to another fan and further opened up on her state of mind at the tough time of year.
She wrote: "It's like all the time yet no time at all. missing his laughter and minxy ways."
One supportive follower put: "Big hug. Go get in the garden."
Zoe Ball says it's 'lovely to be back' as she returns to BBC Radio 2 after stepping down from breakfast show
Another wrote: "Love always my darling."
A third then put: "Love and prayers sent to you and his friends and family xx"
LOVE STORY
Zoe and Billy were first pictured together back in February 2017.
They began dating after Zoe split up with DJ Fatboy Slim.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Zoe's telly star dad Johnny Ball told the Mirror at the time: 'We are very happy that she is finding a new lease of life.
'She is very happy at the moment, and that is lovely.'
Strictly Come Dancing presenter Zoe was madly in love with the cameraman.
Just days before Billy's death, she had gushed about the romance, admitting she was enjoying 'one last hurrah' before hitting the menopause.
Speaking about his passing, Zoe previously told the Radio Times: "Even now I sometimes think, 'I'm a resourceful woman, I'm a bright woman. . . why could I not save him?'
'And then I have to stop and say, 'Everyone who loved him knew. None of us found an answer, none of us saved him'.
'To move forward you have to accept that. Which is very difficult.'
In March 2018 the star explored the reasons for suicide in BBC One's Zoe's Hardest Road Home.
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The pair got together in 2017
Credit: Fame Flynet
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Zoe told how she missed Billy's 'laughter'
Credit: Instagram/Zoetheball
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It came after Zoe's return to Radio 2
Credit: BBC/PA Wire