Zoe Ball 'devastated' after boyfriend found dead

TV presenter Zoe Ball has said she is “devastated” following the death of her boyfriend.

Antiques Roadshow cameraman Billy Yates, 40, was found dead by police at his flat in Putney, southwest London, on Thursday night.

“Police were called at 18:40hrs on Thursday, 4 May to a residential address on Lower Richmond Road, SW15 following reports of a man found deceased,” the Met Police said.

“Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended. A man, believed to be aged 40, was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

Ball’s spokesman said: “Zoe is devastated and requests that during this difficult time the media respect her privacy as well as the privacy of her friends and family.”

Mr Yates worked with Ball at the BBC and the two had been in a relationship since September last year.

Kate Thornton will be stepping in to present Ball’s weekly programme on Saturday afternoon at 3pm, a BBC spokesperson said.

On Thursday, Ball, 46, shared a Samaritans tweet featuring a light sabre that read: “If it really doesn’t feel like the force is with you today, we’re here and ready to listen.”

The Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two presenter also posted the image of a flower on her Instagram page, reading: “My sweet love”.

Ball was previously married to DJ Fatboy Slim, whose real name is Norman Cook. They announced their divorce in September after 18 years together.

The pair, who had two children, insisted they would remain “great friends” following their split.