Zoe Ball's boyfriend Billy Yates dead at 40

Zoe Ball’s boyfriend Billy Yates has died, aged 40.

The Antiques Roadshow cameraman and the Radio 2 presenter had been in a relationship for three months.

It has been reported that the body of Mr Yates was found in his flat in Putney, south London, last night.

This morning, before his death was announced, Zoe took to Instagram and posted a poignant photograph of a flower with the caption: ‘My sweet love’.

Ball, 46, revealed she had started dating Yates earlier this year and he had given her ‘a new lease of life’.

Earlier yesterday, she shared a Samaritans tweet which encouraged anyone going through a difficult or distressing time to call the charity.

Along with a picture of a heart-shaped light sabre, it read: ‘If it really doesn’t feel like the force is with you today, we’re here and ready to listen.’

Zoe, 46, separated from her DJ husband Fatboy Slim – whose real name is Norman Cook – in September 2016 after 18 years together and began dating Billy in February.

After announcing their separation, Ball and Cook said they would remain ‘great friends’ and would continue to support each other to raise their two children together.

She met the 40-year-old Antiques Roadshow cameraman through mutual friends at the BBC.

A close friend has told The Sun: “Zoe is overcome with grief. She is completely and utterly devastated.

“This was completely out of the blue.”

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called to a residential address in Putney, South London at 18.40 on Thursday 4th May, to reports of a man found deceased.

“Officers attended alongside staff from the London Ambulance Service, and a man believed to be aged 40 was pronounced dead at the scene. The circumstances are not being treated as suspicious, and the coroner has been informed.”

You can call the Samaritans free on 116 123.