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Zoe Ball reportedly dating again eight months after boyfriend’s death

Presenter has had a tough year

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Zoe Ball is said to be in a “good place” and dating again after the tragic loss of her boyfriend Billy Yates eight months ago.

Billy, who was a cameraman on the Antiques Roadshow,  took his own life at his flat in Putney in May.

His friends later told The Sun he had been battling depression and had been left stressed by an “unexpected tax bill”.

Now, according to The Mirror, Zoe is re-building her life and seeing dad-of-two Michael Reed after a “period of intense grief”.

The pair, who are both 47, are said to have enjoyed a night out in Soho where they “partied and went to a hotel together”.

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A friend told the paper that Zoe seemed “very happy” and “gets on really well with Michael”, adding: “There has been a lot of sadness for Zoe this year but she seems to be in a good place now.”

Michael is reported to be the dad of two children, and the director of a London-based building development company called Zero Zero Five.

His former partner and mother of his children, Carrelyn Gardner, told reporters she was “not aware” of his new relationship with Zoe, but wished him well.

Earlier this month, Zoe paid tribute to the late Billy with an Instagram picture of the pair of them, accompanied by a long post in which she thanked him for his “mess, bear hugs and dancing feet”.

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Zoe wrote: “No time at all, yet so so long to be without you & your wondrous ways, your love, your gorgeous monkey face, your voice, your laughter, your daftness, your glorious commentary on the worlds shenanigans, your mess, your big bear hugs & your dancing feets.

“You are so missed monkey. at times its impossible to comprehend what has happened. But you are at peace, and we can take comfort from that. And we all get a little bit stronger every day. Small steps eh.

“You are forever in our hearts & always in my pocket Snoops. Keep shining up there for us. Love you beautiful one thank you to everyone who has reached out in these past few months & sent love or shared their own experiences with me, you have all helped me more than you could ever imagine. sending love back to all.

“Keep sharing, keep listening and let’s keep on campaigning to find the support needed for those living with #depression #mentalillness #mentalhealthawareness.” [sic]

Zoe’s relationship with Billy came to light after she announced her separation from her husband of 18 years, Norman Cook, in 2016.

The pair had briefly separated in 2003, after Zoe had an affair with Norman’s friend, the DJ Dan Peppe.

Following Billy’s passing, friends told the press that Norman was a huge support to Zoe and “played a massive part in building back up her happiness levels”.

Zoe Ball’s representative has been contacted by ED! for comment.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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