For many in the UK, Zoe Ball is a familiar face—one whose journey through public and private heartache has resonated with audiences for nearly a decade. On March 23, 2026, the former Strictly: It Takes Two host appeared on BBC’s Morning Live, opening up about her ongoing experience with grief following the tragic death of her partner, Billy Yates, in May 2017. Yates, a BBC Antiques Roadshow cameraman, died by suicide at the age of 40, an event Zoe has described as the hardest thing she has ever faced.
Speaking candidly to hosts Rav Wilding and Helen Skelton, Zoe reflected on how gardening unexpectedly became a vital part of her healing process. "Gardening came to me quite late in life," she shared, as reported by BBC and Daily Star. "I sadly lost my partner and lots of people bought me roses because he had rose tattoos and 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 me and my sort of grief journey."
For Zoe, the solace she found among the flowers extended far beyond their beauty. "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 actually really good for you so it's been a real comfort to me and it's my happy place." She continued, "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 and there's an opportunity to remember them and smile, isn't it? There are so many mental health benefits to gardening as well."
In the years since Yates’ death, Zoe has remained remarkably open about her grief. She presented a documentary, Zoe's Hardest Road Home, which explored not just her personal journey but also the broader impact of suicide on loved ones. Every May, she marks the anniversary of Billy’s death, and in 2025 she posted a tribute stating he is "forever in our hearts." Her willingness to share her struggles has helped bring conversations about mental health, bereavement, and healing into the national spotlight.
But Zoe’s story isn’t just one of loss—it’s also about resilience and the search for joy in everyday life. This spring, she’s set to front the BBC health series Just One Thing alongside Roman Kemp and Clive Myrie. The show, inspired by the late Michael Mosley’s popular podcast, encourages people to make small changes for significant health benefits. Each host will lead four episodes, traveling across the country to ask viewers to try "just one thing" to improve their wellbeing.
Reflecting on her experience filming the series, Zoe admitted to being surprised by her own habits. "I was shocked by just how much I use my phone. We're so attached to our digital devices often without even realising it," she said. "Since taking on the challenge, I've genuinely tried to use mine less, although I’m not sure I've done quite as well as some of our contributors, if I’m honest." She described the Digital Detox challenge as "one of the toughest Just One Things," but was heartened by the difference even small changes made. "It was also amazing to see how much people gained from taking part. Even small changes had a noticeable impact."
Morning Live, where Zoe shared her story, airs weekdays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9:30am. Just One Thing is set to premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One from March 23, 2026, and the original Radio 4 podcast series remains available on BBC Sounds. The show’s practical, evidence-based tips aim to help viewers live healthier, happier lives—something Zoe has championed both on and off screen.
Support for those navigating mental health struggles or bereavement is vital, and Zoe’s openness underscores the importance of reaching out. As she and the BBC remind viewers, help is available in the UK through Samaritans, who can be reached for free at 116 123.
While Zoe’s journey has been shaped by loss, her story is also one of hope—a theme echoed by her father, Johnny Ball. The beloved children’s TV presenter, now 87, recently spoke to the Mirror about his own battles, including a successful fight against prostate cancer. Johnny, who celebrated his golden wedding anniversary with wife Dianne in 2025, declared, "I’m laughing more now than at any other time in my life." He credits his enduring optimism to the support of his family and a zest for life that’s only grown with age.
Johnny’s perspective on assisted dying is shaped by both personal conviction and historical context. He shared the story of Eratosthenes, the ancient Greek who, at age 80, chose to end his life by refusing food. "That, if you like, was unassisted dying—except that everybody had to agree that they'd leave him. It's one of the saddest things I know in history." Johnny worries that legalizing assisted dying could lead to coercion or abuse, saying, "There are too many stories of people realising that money is going to move from one place to another when somebody dies for me to be wholly comfortable about assisted dying. It's all about what's in your heart." Still, he recognizes the complexity of the issue, adding, "If somebody is saying 'I'm ill, please let me go now.' I don't see a problem with that. But I would find a great problem with a relation who said, 'oh, I think they've had it. There's no quality of life. Let's end it for them.'"
Despite life’s challenges—including a cancer diagnosis in 2022—Johnny remains upbeat. "I’ve been kicked in the teeth in every possible way by life and by situations and by people. But I still cannot help but smile. I have my wife, my dog, my life. I'm very happy with my life. I'm happy that I'm still fit at 87. By rights, I don’t have long left, I want to spend it with a smile on my face." He’s also proud of Zoe and the way she and her ex-husband, Norman Cook (aka Fat Boy Slim), have come together for their children, Woody and Nelly. "The two of them are really good buddies. They live within a mile of each other. And they're good mates for the sake of the two children. The children have rooms in both houses, and it all works very well, that's the nice thing here."
Johnny’s career, which began in the 1960s with BBC’s Play School and includes shows like Think of a Number, has spanned seven decades. He remains active, with his second memoir, Stories That Must Be Told!, set for release on March 28, 2026. He’s outspoken about education reform, admires King Charles for his openness about cancer, and fondly remembers working with former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
For the Ball family, resilience, humor, and a willingness to face life’s hardest moments head-on have become defining traits. Whether through gardening, storytelling, or simply sharing a laugh, Zoe and Johnny Ball offer a powerful reminder that healing and happiness are possible—even after unimaginable loss.