Zoe Ball has paid a heartfelt tribute to late parter Billy Yates as she marked seven years since his death.
The radio host, 53, took to Instagram with the post just a week after confirming the tragic death of her mother Julia Peckham from pancreatic cancer aged 79.
Camera man Billy sadly took his own life in May 2017 after a long battle with depression, with Zoe revealing she’d been ‘in shock for two years’ following the loss.
Alongside a snap of Billy, Zoe penned: ‘7 years kisses in the sky’.
Fans and famous friends sent supportive messages in the comments, including Zoe’s Radio 2 stand-in Gaby Roslin who said: ‘Hugs & love always Zoe’.
Zoe Ball, 53, has paid a heartfelt tribute to late parter Billy Yates as she marked seven years since his death
Alongside a snap of Billy, Zoe penned: ‘7 years kisses in the sky’
While other wrote: ‘All love Zoe’: ‘Thinking of you sweet Zoe’: ‘Love to you and his family’: ‘Thinking of you Zoe. When you love hard the pain is hard. Gorgeous picture’: ‘Oh Zoe you’ve been through so much, we’ve got you, you’ve got this’.
Last week Zoe told fans she is ‘bereft’ following the death of her ‘dear mama’ Julia.
The BBC Radio 2 star announced in early March that her mother had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was being ‘incredibly brave’.
She then told her BBC Radio 2 listeners Julia had been transferred to a hospice, as she dedicated a Bon Jovi song to paramedics who helped her.
Just before 5am on Wednesday, the much-loved broadcaster shared the news of her mother’s passing on Instagram. In a tribute, she said: ‘Sleep tight dear Mama.
‘Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy. And how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts.
It continued: ‘We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other. Your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us.’
After announcing her mother’s illness last month, Gaby Roslin ‘occasionally’ stepped in to replace her on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show so the pair could spend time together.
The radio host took to Instagram with the post just a week after confirming the tragic death of her mother Julia Peckham from pancreatic cancer aged 79 (Zoe and Billy pictured together)
Fans and famous friends sent supportive messages in the comments, including Zoe’s Radio 2 stand-in Gaby Roslin who said: ‘Hugs & love always Zoe’
Zoe shared the heartbreaking news last week that Julia was being transferred into hospice care, telling listeners that things were ‘pretty tough at the moment for the family.’
She said: ‘Things are really tough for my mum at the moment, just sending out loads of love. Love you Mum.’
The broadcaster’s son Woody Cook, who she shares with ex-husband Norman Cook better known as British DJ Fatboy Slim, also shared a tribute on Instagram.
‘Today I say goodbye to Granny J, thank you for being a wonderful woman,’ the 23-year-old said, sharing a younger picture with his grandmother.
Woody, who appeared on Netflix reality series The Circle in 2019, also referenced his grandmother’s late husband Rick Peckham.
He said: ‘The only person who always sent me a valentines card. I know you’re with Rick now, give him a hug from me.
Zoe announced the death of her ‘dear mama’ Julia (pictured) in a post on Instagram last week
In the tribute posted to Instagram (pictured), Zoe told fans she is ‘bereft’
The presenter said she and her family were going through ‘tough times’ amid her mother’s (pictured) diagnosis but praised her for being ‘brave’
Woody also referenced his grandmother’s late husband Rick Peckham who died in 2013, as he added: ‘I know you’re with Rick now, give him a hug from me.’
‘I know he said once when you were panicking in a helicopter over the Jungle ‘If you get lost, follow the river!’ You’ll find him at the end.’
Zoe revealed her mother’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis on March 6, as she told fans on social media she would be taking time away from her BBC show to focus on her family, who were going through ‘tough times’ – but added her mother was being extremely ‘brave’.
Despite her mother’s diagnosis, Zoe remained positive as she told fans at the time she is ‘in awe’ of the nurses and doctors in charge of her care.
Posting a picture of Julia surrounded by family last month, as well as a second of her receiving chemotherapy in hospital, she wrote: ‘Heartbreakingly our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with Cancer.
‘As many of you know from experience, these are extremely tough times. Mum is being incredibly brave.
‘My brother Jamie & I are completely in awe of the brilliant Doctors, Nurses & support teams looking after Mum. Thank you.
‘Gratitude to our families & our extended family & friends at home & at work for their support at this time.
‘Sending out love to people reading this who are battling cancer, or awaiting diagnosis & also to the folk looking after their dear ones who are poorly.’
