Zoe Ball has disclosed that her 16-year-old daughter Nell has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), joining her and her brother Woody in living with the condition. The 55-year-old broadcaster, who previously revealed her own ADHD diagnosis in December 2023, said learning about her children's experiences helped her understand her own symptoms.
Speaking on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, Ball explained that Nell's new medication has made a significant difference in her final year at school. 'She could get through her schoolwork and her exams. It's really helped her to focus,' Ball said.
Ball, who lives in the Brighton area with her partner Mathieu Weekes, described their household as having 'three ADHD-ers and three quite gregarious people' alongside Weekes, whom she affectionately calls 'the lodger'. She credited him with bringing 'a bit of calm and order into this house of chaos'.
The former BBC Radio 2 host reflected on how her own ADHD may have contributed to her partying in the 1990s, saying she 'would never let anyone leave the party' and 'hated the party being over'. Now, she said, she appreciates calm and quiet, noting that people with ADHD 'feel things' and 'take things so personally'.
Ball praised Nell as 'smart' and 'sassy as hell', expressing confidence that her daughter will thrive. 'She's strong-willed and she's tough. But, oh lordy, there is no telling her!' she added.
