Zoe Ball, the beloved TV and radio personality, shared an emotional and intimate look into her grief journey following the tragic death of her partner, Billy Yates, who passed away in 2017. Speaking candidly during her appearance on BBC’s Morning Live on March 23, Zoe, now 55, opened up about how she has coped with the profound loss over the years, touching on the unexpected comfort she found in gardening.
Billy, who worked as a cameraman on BBC Antiques Roadshow, tragically died by suicide at the age of 40, leaving Zoe and their family to navigate the immense grief that followed. In her heartfelt interview, Zoe reflected on how gardening, a hobby she discovered later in life, became a therapeutic and healing practice for her during some of the darkest days of her grief.
The Healing Power of Gardening
During the interview with Morning Live hosts Rav Wilding and Helen Skelton, Zoe revealed that gardening has been a major source of solace. “I sadly lost my partner and lots of people bought me roses because he had rose tattoos,” Zoe recalled. “People brought me roses in his memory. Suddenly, I was outside tending to these beautiful plants and having that peace and calm, and it had such a huge difference to my grief journey.”
Zoe went on to explain that spending time in her garden brought her a sense of peace, while connecting her to both the natural world and the memory of Billy. “Gardening is incredible, and it’s really good for calming you. It gets you outside, you’ve got the sunshine, and actually getting your hands into the soil, your body comes in contact with microbes that are really good for you,” she said. “It’s been a real comfort to me, and it’s my happy place.”
She also spoke about the emotional benefit of watching plants grow, whether they were fruit, vegetables, or flowers. The act of nurturing something from the ground up mirrored her own healing process, which she described as a gradual, yet deeply fulfilling experience. “You’re watching things grow, and it’s so lovely. It could be fruit, it could be veg, it could be flowers. The physical benefits aside, which are obvious when you’re digging and gardening, you smile and you start that conversation of saying, I lost my partner and now you’re smiling, talking about the roses.”
Zoe emphasized that gardening not only helped her mentally but also provided an opportunity to honor Billy’s memory in a joyful way. “There are so many mental health benefits to gardening as well,” she noted.
A Grief Journey with Few Resources
Zoe also touched upon the lack of support and resources available to her during the early stages of Billy’s death. In a now-deleted Instagram post, she spoke about the inadequate help offered to Billy before his death, especially when it came to mental health and depression. Reflecting on this, Zoe expressed her frustration at how difficult it was to find support for her partner. “There was so little help and support offered to my @billwahweewoo,” she wrote on World Mental Health Day in 2017. “Only after he died did I learn about some of the amazing charities and support groups out there doing such great work for #mentalhealth #depression #suicideawareness.”
In her Morning Live interview, Zoe revealed that she only discovered the profound impact her grief journey had on her mental well-being after taking up gardening. It became a peaceful, meditative process that provided her with moments of clarity during the emotional rollercoaster of loss.
Remembering Billy and Giving Back
In the years following Billy’s death, Zoe has been an advocate for mental health awareness, using her platform to highlight the importance of seeking help. On the seventh anniversary of his death in 2024, she posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, writing, “7 years. Kisses in the sky x.” Her message included sparkle emojis, symbolizing her enduring love for him despite the years that had passed. Zoe’s strength throughout this journey has inspired many, as she continues to honor Billy’s memory and raise awareness for mental health.
Zoe’s emotional journey through grief and her growth as a gardener serve as a testament to the healing power of nature and the necessity of caring for one’s mental well-being after loss. Her openness about her struggle with Billy’s death has given fans a chance to witness the process of healing firsthand and provided hope to others facing similar tragedies.
A Continuing Legacy
In recent years, Zoe has also found joy in her role as a mother and has dedicated much of her time to raising her children while managing her career. Despite the emotional toll that grief has taken, Zoe’s resilience and the support of her family have played a key role in her ability to navigate life after Billy’s passing.
For Zoe, gardening is more than just a hobby — it is a way to cultivate hope and maintain a deep connection with both herself and the memory of her late partner. “It’s my happy place,” she said. “I smile, and I start talking about the roses. It’s a chance to remember, to smile, and to heal.”
Zoe Ball’s journey is a reminder that, in times of loss, we all have our unique ways of finding healing. Whether it’s through the solace of nature, the support of family, or the recognition of mental health needs, Zoe’s story offers a beautiful example of how life can continue even after deep sorrow. Her story serves as both an inspiration and a reminder to seek support and healing when it’s needed most.
Looking Forward
As Zoe continues her personal and professional journey, she remains an advocate for mental health and the importance of seeking help. In her own words, “Gardening has been a comfort. It’s been my happy place,” and for many, it’s a message that speaks volumes. Through grief, Zoe has found not just solace but a renewed purpose in nurturing life around her, and in doing so, she has given herself a chance to heal, one rose at a time.
