Zoe Ball inundated with support as she pays tribute to late partner after mum's death

Zoe Ball has been swamped with messages of support and affection after she shared a touching tribute to her late partner, only days after the sad news of her mother's passing.

The Antiques Roadshow cameraman Billy Yates, who tragically ended his life in 2017 at the tender age of 40, had been in a relationship with the BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe at the time.

On the anniversary of Billy's death, Zoe posted an emotional picture of him on Instagram last Saturday, captioning it: "7 years, kisses in the sky."

The post saw an outpouring of support for the star, with Stacey Dooley responding with a heart emoji and one fan comforting Zoe by saying: "Oh Zoe.. you've been through so much.. we got you and you got this."

Zoe's connection with Billy became public following her separation from her former husband, the renowned DJ Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, in 2016. In a heartfelt tribute to her late boyfriend, Zoe took on a cycling challenge from Blackpool to Brighton for Sport Relief, bringing attention to mental health issues, reports the Mirror.

Reflecting on their last moments together, Zoe expressed her deep feelings: "It was just that moment and that feeling of, 'Oh my god, I love him so much and we'll find help and it will all be ok'. And I wish I'd told him that."

She admitted: "I just thought, whatever it is we have to do, I love him so much we will get through this somehow."

Reflecting on the moments before his tragic death, she shared, "He got on his bike and he cycled off and he turned round and he blew me a kiss, and that was the last time that I saw him. And I feel really grateful that I got my goodbye in a way. And I think that was my goodbye."

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Zoe's heartfelt Instagram post this weekend follows shortly after the broadcaster revealed her mother Julia had passed away just weeks after Zoe announced her cancer diagnosis to fans. Zoe shared the sad news of her mother's passing with fans in the early hours of April 24.

"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. we are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other," Zoe penned on Instagram as she posted a picture of her late mother when she announced Julia's death last week.

Filling in for Zoe on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, Gaby Roslin expressed her sympathy and support, acknowledging that Zoe had been caring for her mum recently. "It's no secret Zoe has been off for a little while looking after her mum, Julia" Gaby said as she started the programme shortly after Zoe's announcement.

"Very sadly, Julia lost her fight yesterday and we're all obviously sending so much love to Zoe and the whole family," Gaby Roslin said. She connected with listeners who have faced similar grief, stating, "It's a horrible, awful time - and I know so many of you have been through this, loving a parent and a loved one, and I think the one thing I'd like to pass on is, grief has no rule. There are no rules about this at all."

While filling in for Zoe Ball on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Gaby sent a powerful message of solidarity to her friend: "Zoe, you know I have got your back - I'll always have your back. I love you dearly, you're a very dear friend and all of us on the team love you and send you so much love. And to anybody else who is fighting the fight and being as brave as they can be, I am sending you lots of love as well."

She then played Fleetwood Mac's 'Songbird' in tribute to Zoe, who is mourning her mother's passing.

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