Zoe Ball's dad reveals BBC show has 'taken her mind off dark thoughts' amid Billy’s death
ZOE BALL'S famous father Johnny has opened up about supporting her through the heartbreaking loss of her boyfriend Billy Yates in May.
Zoe Ball's father has opened up about supporting her after Billy Yates' death
The TV legend spoke out about how Zoe's family has supported her in the wake of Billy's tragic death, saying that he and his wife Dianne provided as much comfort as they could from a distance.
"If she was next door we would pop round and say, 'Are you okay? But we're 60 miles away. So we text asking, 'Are you okay? Keep your pecker up. Come on, be strong," he said.
Billy was found dead at his home in Putney, London, after battling depression.
Johnny said that he and his wife Dianne have helped to support Zoe through her heartbreaking loss
Zoe's boyfriend Billy was found dead at his home in May
Zoe consequently cancelled her presenting duties on BBC Radio 2, only retuning to work at the end of June.
Johnny, 79, opened up about how her work commitments have helped the Strictly Come Dancing It Takes Two host move forward from her grief.
"She's started work again and the attention that needs takes her mind from dark thoughts," he told The Mirror.
Billy suffered with depression before he was found hanged
Zoe Ball pays tribute to boyfriend Billy Yates on Radio 2 return
Zoe recently made her first public appearance since Billy's death
Last week, Zoe made her first public appearance since Billy's death as she stepped out to attend Phil Collins' headline slot at BST Hyde Park on Friday.
Although witnesses reported that she looked to be enjoying herself with a group of friends at the concert, Zoe was said to break down in tears during Phil's final song, Take Me Home.
"Phil's final song clearly struck a chord and she got pretty teary," an onlooker told the website. "Her friends were really looking out for her, and gave her lots of hugs."