Emotional Zoe Ball pays tribute to late boyfriend Billy Yates on the one-year anniversary of his suicide
ZOE Ball has paid an emotional tribute to her late boyfriend Billy Yates on the first anniversary of his death.
Billy took his own life at his home in Putney last May, leaving Zoe "overcome with grief".
The Strictly presenter shared a snap of a large group of people wearing T-shirts with the slogan "mates with yates" as they held pictures of the cameraman.
She captioned the image: "One year @billwahweewoo ✨✨✨sending out some big love, across the universe #mateswithyates ✨✨✨".
Her fans rushed to send her messages of support with one writing: "I'm sure he's looking down on you with love and pride. You are an amazing lady. Treasure the past and embrace the future 💕".
Another added: "You are an inspiration to everyone who has lost someone they love. You are living proof that you can still live your life fully."
She shared another image of a monument with daffodils growing around it and wrote: "Love this place. #mateswithyates."
The inquest into his death was held last month and heard how Zoe desperately tried to help Billy after two suicide attempts in the months before his death.
Back in March, Zoe spoke to RadioTimes about Billy's death saying: "I knew he had lived with depression for a long time. But he was a big strong guy.
“Billy didn’t tell me about his depression at the beginning, it’s only when you get to know someone that they really share stuff like that.
“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."
MOST READ IN TV & SHOWBIZ
Zoe added: “None of us found an answer, none of us saved him. To move forward you have to accept that. Which is very difficult.
“But I take comfort from the fact he is no longer in pain. He struggled every day and now he is at peace. The pain has stopped for him.”
She has since found love with Michael Reed and the pair have reportedly moved in together.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.