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ZOE'S TEARS
Radio 2 host Zoe Ball took day off to attend godfather’s funeral — two years on from tragic boyfriend’s
BBC cameraman Billy Yates was found hanged at his home on May 4, 2017, following a battle with depression
ZOE Ball took a day off from Radio 2’s breakfast show on Thursday for the funeral of her godfather — exactly two years after boyfriend Billy Yates’s funeral.
The BBC’s media editor Amol Rajan stepped in to do the honours, telling listeners Zoe was absent for “personal reasons”.
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She told her Radio 2 listeners today: “I went to my dear godfather’s funeral. It was his funeral in Blackpool.
“He was the best goddad a girl could ask for.”
Beeb cameraman Billy was found hanged at his South London home on May 4, 2017, aged just 40, following a battle with depression. His funeral was three weeks later, on May 23.
It was also the 81st birthday of her dad, 1970s and ’80s kids’ telly legend Johnny Ball. One friend said: “It is a really hard time for her.”
Less than a year after Billy’s death, Zoe took part in the Hardest Ride Home challenge, in which she cycled from Blackpool to Brighton to raise money for Sport Relief and mental health awareness.
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The gruelling ride took her five days. Highlights were broadcast in a one-off documentary shown on March 21 last year on BBC1.
During the programme she spoke emotionally about the challenge, during which she raised more than £1million.
Zoe began dating Billy after splitting from superstar DJ husband Fatboy Slim, 55, in September 2016. She is now in a relationship with construction boss Michael Reed, who she met through a mutual friend.
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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, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
Zoe Ball says 'she hasn't slept' because she was so excited about hosting her first BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show
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