BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball became visibly emotional during a recent podcast episode, openly discussing her personal experiences with grief after hearing a heart-wrenching story from a listener. On the latest instalment of the Dig It podcast, which she co-hosts with Jo Whiley, Ball struggled to contain her tears as caller Helen shared the story of her son Myles, who passed away from cancer.
A Celebration of Life
Helen explained to the hosts that instead of opting for a traditional, sombre funeral for her son, the family chose to celebrate his life with an Ibiza-style party. Many of Myles' friends performed DJ sets in his honour, creating a joyful and vibrant atmosphere. After viewing footage of this unique celebration, Zoe Ball was moved to tears, expressing her condolences while praising the beautiful tribute.
"Helen I'm so sorry for your loss, your beautiful, beautiful boy, but what a way to celebrate him," Ball said emotionally. "There is so much joy in that footage which just makes me cry even more. Ah how lovely." She wiped away tears as she spoke, highlighting the powerful mix of sorrow and celebration that defines such moments.
Personal Reflections on Loss
Zoe Ball knows the profound weight of grief all too well, having lost her ex-partner Billy Yates to suicide in 2017 and her mother to cancer in 2024. Reflecting on Billy's death, she shared that one of her greatest comforts has been maintaining close relationships with his loved ones. "I think that's a lovely thing as well, when you lose people who are young, well when you lose anyone really, it's staying close to the people who love them," Ball explained.
"Losing Billy, you know, I've been so lucky to have all of his wonderful family and friends stay really close. And it's great to see his nieces and nephews doing so brilliantly at life and his friends who really, really, make me laugh. Those people who you can be with who share that kind of love and essence of someone that you've lost. Those relationships you form through great loss just stay with you are such a great comfort."
Balancing Sorrow and Joy
Ball also reflected on the funeral of her former mother-in-law, Ros, the mother of her ex-husband Norman Cook, known professionally as Fatboy Slim. She emphasised the importance of finding a balance between sorrow and celebration at such events, agreeing that funeral songs should allow for both tears and laughter.
"Norm's mum had that at her funeral, Ros, and do you know what, you need a song like that that makes you cry, that allows you to cry. I think it's good at funerals to have your chance to do that, to have a good old weep but then, like Myles' gang, have a great dance and a sing along and lots of laughter so you get the light and shade," she said.
Emotional Aftermath
As the deeply emotional episode drew to a close, Zoe Ball admitted to her co-host, "I'm a flipping wreck." Billy Yates, a cameraman, was Ball's first known relationship following the breakdown of her marriage to Norman Cook in 2016. Last year, she marked eight years since his passing with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing a message accompanied by symbols of remembrance.
The mother-of-two went on to have a six-year relationship with model and construction worker Michael Reed before they split in May 2023. She is now in a relationship with TV production designer Mathieu Weekes, whom she affectionately refers to as 'The Lodger' on her podcast. This candid discussion on the Dig It podcast underscores the universal nature of grief and the healing power of shared memories and connections.
