ZOE BALL has taken a break from hosting her live Saturday afternoon BBC Radio 2 show following the death of her boyfriend Billy Yates.

Mr Yates, 40, a cameraman for the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, was found dead at his home in Putney on Thursday evening.

TV presenter Kate Thornton stood in for Ms Ball on the Zoe Ball show and said she was sending “the biggest of hugs”.

She added: “Sadly our lovely Zoe Ball can’t be here today.

“From everyone on the show and here at Radio 2, our thoughts are with Billy, his family and friends, and of course with you Zoe.”

The BBC has announced Suzi Perry will stand in for her on May 13.

Zoe Ball, who was said to be at home in Hove when Mr Yates was found, shared a picture of a flower on her Instagram page, along with the caption: “My sweet love X”.

Her spokesman told the Press Association: “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.”

Ball, 46, is believed to have been in a relationship with Mr Yates for several months.

She announced her separation from husband of 18 years Norman Cook, known as DJ Fatboy Slim, in September last year.

The Metropolitan Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious.