Zoe Ball flooded with support as she pays tribute to late partner days on from her mum's death

Zoe Ball has been inundated with messages of love and support after she paid a moving tribute to her late partner just days on from announcing the death of her mother.

Antiques Roadshow Billy Yates cameraman tragically took his own life in 2017 at the age of 40, not long into his relationship with BBC Radio 2 star Zoe.

Marking seven years since Billy's passing Zoe posted a heartfelt photo of Billy on Instagram this Saturday, with the caption: "7 years, kisses in the sky." The star was flooded with support, with Stacey Dooley leaving a love-heart emoji underneath Zoe's post and one fan telling the star: "Oh Zoe .. you’ve been through so much .. we got you and you got this."

Zoe was first linked to Billy after splitting from ex-husband, famed DJ Norman Cook (known as Fatboy Slim), in 2016. To honour her late boyfriend memory, Zoe pedalled her way from Blackpool to Brighton for Sport Relief, shining light on mental health issues.

She poignantly remembered her final moments with him, saying: "It was just that moment and that feeling of, 'Oh my god, I love him so much and we'll find help and it will all be ok'. And I wish I'd told him that." The telly icon confessed: "I just thought, whatever it is we have to do, I love him so much we will get through this somehow."

Recounting the events prior to his heartbreaking passing, she reflected, "He got on his bike and he cycled off and he turned round and he blew me a kiss, and that was the last time that I saw him. And I feel really grateful that I got my goodbye in a way. And I think that was my goodbye."

Zoe's poignant post on Instagram this weekend comes shortly on from the broadcaster announcing her mother Julia had passed away just weeks on from Zoe sharing her cancer diagnosis with fans. Zoe broke the news that her mother had died with fans in the early hours of the morning on 24th April.

"Sleep tight dear mama. thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts. we are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other," Zoe wrote on Instagram as she shared a picture of her late mother as she announced Julia's death last week.

Stepping in for Zoe on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, Gaby Roslin expressed her condolences and support, acknowledging that Zoe had been caring for her mum recently. "It's no secret Zoe has been off for a little while looking after her mum, Julia" Gaby said as she began the programme shortly after Zoe's announcement.

"Very sadly, Julia lost her fight yesterday and we're all obviously sending so much love to Zoe and the whole family," Gaby added. She empathised with listeners who have experienced similar losses, saying, "It's a horrible, awful time - and I know so many of you have been through this, loving a parent and a loved one, and I think the one thing I'd like to pass on is, grief has no rule. There are no rules about this at all."

Gaby, who has been covering for Zoe on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show over recent weeks, then sent out a heartfelt message of support to her friend: "Zoe, you know I have got your back - I'll always have your back. I love you dearly, you're a very dear friend and all of us on the team love you and send you so much love. And to anybody else who is fighting the fight and being as brave as they can be, I am sending you lots of love as well." She then dedicated Fleetwood Mac's 'Songbird' to Zoe, who is grieving the loss of her mother.

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