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Zoe Ball on finding love again after loss

Photo credit: David Gubert
Photo credit: David Gubert

From Red Online

Zoe Ball has opened up to Red about the importance of believing in love in an exclusive interview for our March 2020 issue (on sale now).

The Strictly Takes Two presenter and Radio 2 host reflected on the ups and downs of her life as she chatted about everything from menopause to motherhood via sobriety, separation, devastating loss and finding confidence in herself.

She said believing in love has kept her going during testing times – especially after the sudden death of her partner Billy Yates in 2017.

Photo credit: David Gubert
Photo credit: David Gubert

'I believe I was in shock for two years afterwards,' she said. 'It’s like you can’t see beyond putting your feet on the floor and getting out of bed each day. Since losing Billy, I’ve met lots of people who’ve helped me have a better understanding of the complexities of mental health. But also, it’s key to remember there is help available for people living with mental health issues and there is hope.’

She added: 'You find [love] everywhere. It’s in your friendships and your parents and your children and in music. Love fills your heart and it breaks your heart; it’s so unpredictable, you don’t know where it’s going to come from.

'To feel love is the most incredible feeling in the world. To lose it will nearly end you and take you to your knees, but there’s always more. You know, I look at my kids or my friends and think "I couldn’t love you any more." And then I do. Love just keeps on coming.'

Ball turned 49 in November. She said her life in rural Sussex now is a long way from her 'Ladette' days of the 90s.

‘I wish I’d known [when I was younger] that you don’t have to be what people are expecting you to be. You just have to be you. When you grow up as a woman, there is that confusion where you think, “I need to be this or that to fit in.” Now, I’m very much like, “No, this is what I am.”’

She now feels secure in her skin, and has a new found optimism for her life and the people in it.

‘On a Friday night, I switch on my log burner, stick on Gardeners’ World and I am so happy,' Ball explained. 'Sometimes, my kids want to talk to me at nine o’clock when I’m trying to go to sleep, because I’m getting up early to do the radio show. But I will stay up and listen to them because I know that moment is invaluable.’

Photo credit: Hearst
Photo credit: Hearst

You can read the full interview with Zoe Ball in Red's March 2020 issue, on sale now. Subscribe to the magazine here.

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