BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball has shared an emotional admission about the grief she has endured following the deaths of three loved ones over 14 years. The 55-year-old broadcaster lost her mother Julia Peckham, her former partner Billy Yates, and her stepdad Rick, and says it 'breaks my heart' to know others experience similar pain.
Heartfelt Advice for Listeners
Speaking on the latest episode of her and Jo Whiley's Dig It podcast, Ball addressed fans who had shared their own experiences of loss. She explained that people often reach out after losing a relative to pancreatic cancer, as her mother had, or to motor neurone disease (MND), which claimed her stepdad. 'And losing Billy, a lot of people have spoken to me when they've gone through loss in that way and people reach out and it breaks my heart to know someone else will go through that,' she said.
Raising Awareness for MND
Ball began raising awareness about MND in 2012 after her stepdad died from the condition. According to the NHS, MND causes progressive muscle weakness and is usually life-shortening, with no cure but treatments to manage symptoms.
Her former partner, BBC cameraman Billy Yates, died by suicide in 2017 at age 40. In a previous podcast episode, Ball said maintaining connections with his family and friends had provided immense solace. 'It's great to see his nieces and nephews doing so brilliantly at life and his friends who really, really make me laugh,' she shared.
Loss of Her Mother and Time Off Work
Ball's mother Julia Peckham died in 2024 at age 74 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The devastating loss led Ball to take time off work before stepping down from the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show later that year.
Words of Comfort for the Grieving
Offering advice to those experiencing grief, Ball told listeners that happier days do eventually return. 'What you can find comfort [in] is the people further along in that grieving journey,' she said. 'You'll find people who have gone through exactly what you're going through and they will understand exactly what you're going through at that moment, because they've been there.'
'But hopefully they'll be able to see that in time and you take as long as you need in those journeys. And it's so tough but further down the line, you will find happiness again and you will find joy again, that will happen,' she added.
