Zoe Ball to contact tragic boyfriend Billy Yates’ parents and pay touching tribute to their son
ZOE Ball is to contact the parents of tragic lover Billy Yates to pay a “deeply personal” tribute to their son, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
The TV and radio presenter, 46, was left heartbroken when Billy, 40, hanged himself at his home in South London on Thursday.
The Antiques Roadshow cameraman had supported her through her marriage split from Norman Cook and the pair later found love.
And a source close to Zoe told how she now wants to give her condolences to his grieving family as they struggle to cope with the tragedy.
One said: “When the time is right, Zoe is keen to tell Billy’s parents how much she loved their son, and will miss him.
“He was clearly far more troubled than anyone knew, but they had many happier times together and his support was invaluable to her.
“She wants to share those memories with them, and she hopes it will help both them as they try to come to terms with what happened.”
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Zoe and Billy’s romance was first revealed in February, when he was spotted helping her move boxes into her new London home.
And the Strictly: It Takes Two host had gushed about the romance, saying she was enjoying a “last hurrah” after splitting from Norman, 53.
She added: “I am starting to embrace the older age thing. You just stop caring about stuff so much which is nice.
“I’ve had a bit of a year of self-discovery.”
The source went on: “Billy and Zoe were really in love, and this has left her totally stunned. She just can’t believe that he is no longer here.
“She had no idea that he would ever think about doing something like this.
“She, like everyone who knew and loved him, is now desperately regretting that they weren’t able to intervene and save him from this.
“But sadly, he kept the extent of his feelings hidden until it was too late.”
A spokesman for Zoe last night declined to comment.
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