BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball has spoken emotionally about the grief she has endured following the deaths of three loved ones over the past 14 years. The 55-year-old lost her mother Julia Peckham, her former partner Billy Yates, and her stepfather Rick.
On the latest episode of her podcast 'Dig It' with Jo Whiley, Ball shared advice for those coping with loss after receiving messages from fans. She said: 'It breaks my heart to know someone else will go through that.'
Ball began raising awareness about motor neurone disease (MND) in 2012 after her stepfather died from the condition. Her former partner, BBC cameraman Billy Yates, died by suicide in 2017 at age 40. Her mother Julia Peckham died in 2024 aged 74 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Offering comfort to others, Ball said: 'You'll find people who have gone through exactly what you're going through... hopefully they'll be able to see that in time... further down the line, you will find happiness again.'
Samaritans is available 24/7 on 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org.
