Zoe Ball reveals ‘crippling anxiety’ had huge impact on her BBC Radio 2 work

Health & FitnessLifestyle
3 Jun 2026 • 10:56 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Zoe Ball reveals ‘crippling anxiety’ had huge impact on her BBC Radio 2 work

  • Zoe Ball has revealed she suffered from "crippling anxiety" that impacted her ability to present her BBC Radio 2 shows.
  • Speaking on her "Dig It" podcast with co-host Jo Whiley, Ball attributed her panic attacks to a combination of perimenopause and grief.
  • The presenter experienced significant personal losses, including the death of her partner Billy Yates in 2017 and her mother from pancreatic cancer in 2024.
  • Ball disclosed that her doctor recommended antidepressants to help manage her condition.
  • She stated that she has since overcome the anxiety and gained valuable insights from the experience.

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