Zoe Ball has announced she will undertake a Sport Relief cycle challenge and film a documentary about mental health, following the death of her boyfriend Billy Yates last year. Yates, a cameraman who had lived with mental health issues for years, was found dead at his home in May.
Speaking on BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show, Ball said one in four people experiences mental illness, adding that mental health resources are under huge pressure. She hopes the challenge will help people find the right support and spread awareness.
Ball, a novice cyclist, admitted to having mishaps during training, including an altercation with a kerb, an encounter with an angry driver, and two slow-motion falls. She has received tips from Davina McCall, who completed her own Sport Relief challenge in 2014.
The route details, including distance and locations, have not yet been revealed, but Ball confirmed it is a long way. The documentary will visit projects helping people with issues such as self-harm, anxiety, depression, bereavement, and bullying.
Ball said she wanted to do something for her boyfriend and for others affected by mental illness. The challenge is part of Sport Relief 2018, which also features other fundraising events.
Sport Relief is held every two years; the 2016 event saw comedian Eddie Izzard run 27 marathons in 27 days and Radio 1's Greg James complete five triathlons in five days.
