Jump directly to the content

ZOE Ball's fans have been left heartbroken after watching her open up about the final time she saw her late boyfriend Billy Yates alive.

The TV presenter, 47, broke down in tears as she opened up about the last time she had seen the cameraman - who suffered from depression - during the Sport Relief documentary Zoe Ball's Hardest Way Home.

 Zoe Ball broke down as she spoke about her final moments with late boyfriend Billy Yates
7
Zoe Ball broke down as she spoke about her final moments with late boyfriend Billy YatesCredit: BBC One

During the hour long show, Zoe she wished she had told Billy just how much she cared about him.

Fans rushed to show her their support during the programme which was broadcast tonight on BBC One.

Zoe was seen cycling over 300 miles from Blackpool to Brighton to raise money for charity.

They sent "massive hugs" to her on Twitter and told her she was "such an inspiration".

 Zoe Ball reveals she wishes she had told her late boyfriend Billy Yates she loved him before he took his own life
7
Zoe Ball reveals she wishes she had told her late boyfriend Billy Yates she loved him before he took his own lifeCredit: Instagram
 The Radio 1 DJ has cycled over 300 miles for charity
7
The Radio 1 DJ has cycled over 300 miles for charityCredit: BBC One

Radio 2 DJ Zoe said of their final moments together: "It was just that moment and that feeling of 'Oh my god I love him so much, we’ll find some help and it will all be okay'.
"And I wish I’d told him that."

Zoe made the comments as she cycled between her birthplace in Blackpool and hometown of Brighton in just five days.

She has raised more than £500,000 for Sport Relief by completing the challenge.

 She was praised for showing her emotions in the documentary
7
She was praised for showing her emotions in the documentaryCredit: Sport Relief
 The Radio 1 presenter cycled 300 miles to raise money for Sport Relief
7
The Radio 1 presenter cycled 300 miles to raise money for Sport ReliefCredit: BBC

Zoe revealed she wanted to do something to celebrate her Billy's memory following his suicide almost a year ago.

Before the trip she visited a number of mental health organisations to try and understand why suicide is the biggest killer of men in the UK under 45 and how patients are being supported.

 The presenter cycled over 300 miles in her late boyfriend's memory
7
The presenter cycled over 300 miles in her late boyfriend's memoryCredit: Victoria Dawe

In a recent piece for The Daily Mirror, Zoe said she hoped to "give people living with mental illness a way to find some hope - and begin those vital conversations that can ultimately be life-saving."

She revealed: "So many people as the week went on, either in person or on social media, spoke to me about their own -experiences.

"There was even a note left on the windscreen of the support vehicle overnight from a woman who'd also lost someone close to her.

 Zoe's journey to find out more about mental health is featured in the programme Zoe Ball's Hardest Way Home
7
Zoe's journey to find out more about mental health is featured in the programme Zoe Ball's Hardest Way HomeCredit: Victoria Dawe

"I had taken on the challenge because I felt compelled to do something positive in my boyfriend's memory after he died last year following a long struggle with depression."

The star added that meeting sufferers and support workers left her feeling "personally stronger and with a clearer sense of practical help that really can make a difference to people struggling with depression, anxiety, bereavement or even considering the most final action of ending their life".

Zoe and Billy began dating following her split with DJ Norman Cook, and the couple were first pictured together in February 2017.

In May, Billy, who was 40 at the time, was discovered by a friend at his London home having hung himself.

Zoe Ball embarks on the first leg of her 'Hardest Road Home' challenge for Sports Relief 2018


Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.

We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.


Topics