I LOVED YOU ZOE
Pal reveals he adored her to the end
THE tragic boyfriend of TV’s Zoe Ball had told a pal he “adored” the star.
Sophie Phelps, a soulmate of Billy Yates, said in a message to grieving Zoe yesterday: “Billy loved you so much and would tell me how much he adored you.”
Billy, 40, was found dead in his London flat on Thursday after a suspected suicide.
He and former Strictly star Zoe, 46, had dated for four months.
A FRIEND who shared countless hours with Zoe Ball’s tragic boyfriend has told how he helped her battle her demons.
Sophie Phelps told of her “long chats” with Billy Yates and called him “an amazing friend”.
She also revealed how Billy, 40, had gushed about his love for TV and radio star Zoe, 46.
The former Strictly star has been left heartbroken after Billy was discovered dead in his London flat on Thursday following a suspected suicide.
It is believed Billy, who worked as a cameraman on the Antiques Roadshow and The Xtra Factor, battled mental health issues in the run-up to his death.
Shortly after his body was found Zoe posted a picture of a simple pink flower captioned: “My sweet love”.
Now Sophie has revealed how much happiness Billy had found with It Takes Two presenter Zoe during the last few months of his life. In a tribute on Instagram she said: “My thoughts are with you, Zoe. Billy loved you so much and would tell me how much he adored you.
“We had such a close bond and made a pact that we would always call one another when we were in need no matter what time of day.
“He’s been there for me through some really dark times. I just wished he had called, then maybe I could have done more.
“I’m devastated. I hope he’s finally at peace and his head is at rest.
“I’ll never forget him and I’m going to beat this illness for him, it’s the very least I can do.
“Today is a very sad day. I’ve lost an amazing friend to a seriously cruel and unfair illness.
“I’ll be lighting up the sky with your lighter tonight wishing you were sat beside me having one of our long, hilarious chats munching on Frazzles.
“I hope you sleep well Billy, without the nightmares now.” A close friend of mumof-two Zoe said she was struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“She is overcome with grief,” the pal told the Sunday Mirror.
“Billy had made her happy again after the most horrendous year when her marriage broke down.”
Hauntingly, Billy’s final post on his Twitter page was a reference to Matt Haig’s memoir Reasons To Stay Alive, a book which documents his battle with a major depressive disorder.
Speaking about the book, Billy wrote in January 2016: “Reasons To Stay Alive, I don’t know what else to say but, read it, read it READ IT!!!!!!!!!!”
On Friday Matt seemed to hint at his regret at not being able to help Billy.
He said in a Twitter post: “Sometimes wish I’d never written a book about mental health. Some of the things you hear. Some of the people you can’t help.” Zoe had been due to present her show on Radio 2 show yesterday but was replaced by Kate Thornton because she was too upset to go on air.
Earlier, at the end of the morning stint, breakfast host Dermot O’Leary dedicated his show to Billy and his family.
Zoe started dating Billy four months ago and he had been like a breath of fresh air after her split from DJ husband Norman Cook last September.
The Sunday Mirror first revealed their romance in February.
And Zoe’s dad, former TV personality Johnny Ball, 78, told us at the time: “We are very happy that she is finding a new lease of life. She is very happy at the moment and that is lovely.”
She had helped Billy move into the flat where he apparently took his own life.
But as he continued to battle mental health issues, Zoe recently followed the Twitter accounts of Depression Awareness and Anxiety UK.
After his death she re- tweeted a message from the Samaritans which said: “If it really doesn’t feel like the force is with you today, we’re here and ready to
listen. TalkToUs.” Bi l ly was found at his flat in Putney, South West London, on Thursday night after a devast a t ed fr i end alerted police. Officers said the death is not being treated as suspicious. Billy’s sister Katharine McKee posted on Facebook: “Absolutely heartbroken that my wonderful brother has gone.” Another sister, Geraldine Isherwood, wrote: “We are devastated.” Billy was last seen out at around lunchtime on Thursday, going to a local shop before heading back to his second floor flat. Neighbours told of their shock but insisted he had not been showing signs of depression lately. One said: “He popped into the shop and bought a fizzy drink at around midday. “We chatted and laughed a bit. He seemed his normal cheerful and happy self. “When I first heard he was dead my heart was broken. There was no indication he was depressed at all. He was always cheerful and playing his music. It’s just very, very sad.” The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the flat at 6.40pm on Thursday after reports of a death. A spokesman said: “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.” The tragedy came just days after Zoe had been on sparkling form at a lighthearted event in which a member of the audience suggested more sex would help with the menopause. She said on Monday: “I’m menopausal. I’m hot and hairy. It is like my last hurrah. “Is it going to get better? Do I do HRT or do I have the funny tea? “This is the quandary. Have more sex? I have just left my marriage. “OK, that is a good tip. HRT and more sex. I will take that.” Zoe also said she was “starting to embrace the older age thing”. She added: “You just stop caring about stuff so much which is nice. I have had a bit of a year. I’ve had a bit of a year of self-discovery.”