Zoe Ball has revealed that crippling anxiety and panic attacks made it difficult for her to work during her time on BBC Radio 2. Speaking on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley and psychotherapist Owen O'Kane, the broadcaster said the anxiety became so intense that she struggled to get through shows.
Ball attributed the onset of panic attacks to grief following the death of her partner Billy Yates in 2017 and her mother Julia Peckham, who died from pancreatic cancer in April 2024. She also cited perimenopause as a contributing factor. 'I started to have crippling anxiety to the point where I was struggling to work or get through a show,' she said.
The 54-year-old said she has since found her way out of the anxiety with help from professionals. O'Kane's response, describing anxiety as a natural response to life transitions, left Ball emotional. 'Honestly, Owen, I have to say, I actually feel quite emotional listening to you today,' she said.
Ball left her Radio 2 Breakfast Show in 2025 after earning an estimated £950,000 as one of the BBC's highest-paid female presenters. She previously revealed on her podcast that she took antidepressants towards the end of her radio tenure. 'I had horrific anxiety... panic attacks, not being able to breathe, a lot of tears, quite a low mood,' she said.
Since leaving Radio 2, Ball has focused on her podcast and family, including children Nelly, 16, and Woody, 25, and her relationship with boyfriend Mathieu Weekes. In a recent episode, she discussed introducing a new partner to children, with her son Woody commenting, 'You're good at this Mum.'
