Zoe Ball tried to help suicidal lover before he killed himself
ZOE Ball tried in vain to help her suicidal boyfriend conquer his long- term depression just months before he died, an inquest heard yesterday.
The radio and TV presenter arranged for cameraman Billy Yates, 40, to be given expert help after he rammed his car into a motorway barrier in a failed attempt to take his life.
She paid for his two week stay in the Priory Hospital, where his mental health began to improve, and arranged for therapy sessions.
But a second failed suicide attempt followed and weeks later Mr Yates was found dead by a friend at his home.
The troubled former Royal Marine was an alcoholic who had been sober for nine months.
However, he had been drinking shortly before he died and was just over the drink driving limit when he hanged himself in the bathroom in May last year, an inquest in London was told.
He had concerns over a large tax bill but his ‘beautiful relationship’ with Miss Ball was going well.
Assistant Westminster Coroner Shirley Radcliffe recorded an open verdict because Mr Yates had been drinking and she said she couldn’t be sure he intended to take his life. Taking into account the level of alcohol and the fact that he had not used it for some time, it makes it difficult for me to be sure it was intended,’ she said.
A statement from his family, read to the hearing, said: ‘William was known and loved by a great number of people and was a sweetheart to many.
‘Working in TV, cast and crew knew that if Billy was on the job they would be having a good time. ‘That was where Billy met Zoe. They had a friendship and beautiful relationship, they were the love of each other’s life.’ The family said he ‘lived his life in something of a whirlwind’ but had mental health issues.
The coroner said the first suicide bid was in November 2016 when he deliberately crashed his car as he ‘couldn’t bear the intensity of the thoughts that were intruding into his mind’.
Mr Yates and Miss Ball went on holiday to Goa in India shortly after Christmas, but his problems resurfaced and in March he attempted a second suicide bid.
Matters came to a head on May 4 when close friend Brad Abbotts became concerned and went to Mr Yates’ flat in Putney, south-west London. He said he entered the unlocked property to find his friend lying on the floor.
The ligature he used had apparently snapped. Radio 2 presenter Miss Ball, 47, raised £1.2million for Sport Relief from a 350-mile bike ride in his memory.
Last month she discussed the lack of help available to men with mental health issues. She said: ‘We are so busy looking after our body – we drink less, we take vitamins, we exercise – but looking after the mind is taken for granted.’