Zoe’s tears at Corrie suicide
Harrowing scenes brought back loss
ZOE Ball today reveals how she sobbed at the harrowing Coronation Street suicide scenes as they brought back her anguish over the loss of her tragic boyfriend.
The star was devastated when TV cameraman Billy Yates, 40, killed himself last year and has since devoted herself to fundraising and raising awareness about mental health issues.
The Corrie scenes starring Shayne Ward as victim Aidan Connor were aired on May 9 almost a year after Billy’s death and less than a fortnight after his inquest had rekindled 47-year-old Zoe’s anguish.
She only brought herself to watch Aidan’s tragedy unfold last week. Zoe tweeted: “Finally braved the Aidan storyline on @itvcorrie Lots of tears. Gail’s speech, Johnny’s grief, Carla’s slow melt. Brilliant writing, acting & directing. #Mental health a warn ess week .” Billy was found dead at his flat in Putney, South West London. Days before, Zoe had spoken about how happy she was with him after her split from DJ Fatboy Slim. The coroner at 40-year-old Billy’s inquest returned an open verdict, saying she could not be sure his death was not a drunken, impulsive act. Strictly It Takes Two host Zoe admits she feels guilt over whether she could have saved depression sufferer Billy. She completed a 350-mile Sport Relief cycle ride from Blackpool to Brighton in Billy’s memory in March and raised more than €500,000. scoops@sundaymirror.co.uk