Zoë Ball spotted on ‘date’ with ‘first boyfriend’ since the death of Billy Yates

Zoe Ball

by Emma Dodds |
Published on

Zoë Ball has been pictured on a "date" with a businessman - thought to be her first boyfriend since the death of Billy Yates in May.

The Strictly: It Takes Two presenter was photographed enjoying a night out with her rumoured new boyfriend in London last week.

Zoë, 47, was seen looking happy and smiling with who is believed to be Michael Reed, a 47-year-old construction firm boss and a father-of-two.

WATCH: Zoë Ball has a quick dancing lesson with Vincent Simone on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two

They were seen cosying up together at the Union club in London, and a source told The Sun that Zoe was "quite taken" with him.

They said: "It is great to see Zoe with a spring in her step — smiling and enjoying life again.

'She has had a tough time of it this year so deserves some happiness. Michael is a charismatic guy and very handsome, so it is not hard to see the attraction."

Michael kept respectfully tight-lipped about his blossoming romance, telling The Mirror: "I'm sorry but I have no comment."

This comes one month after Zoe marked the six-month anniversary of Billy's death, posting a heartbreaking caption on Instagram alongside a photo of the pair smiling together.

Zoe Ball
©Instagram/ Zoe Ball

She wrote: "6 months today @billwahweewoo ✨✨✨ no time at all, yet so so long to be without you & your wondrous ways, your love, your gorgeous monkey face, your voice, your laughter, your daftness, your glorious commentary on the worlds shenanigans, your mess, your big bear hugs & your dancing feets.

"You are so missed monkey. At times its impossible to comprehend what has happened. But you are at peace, and we can take comfort from that. And we all get a little bit stronger every day. Small steps eh.

"You are forever in our hearts & always in my pocket Snoops. Keep shining up there for us. Love you beautiful one ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨thank you to everyone who has reached out in these past few months & sent love or shared their own experiences with me, you have all helped me more than you could ever imagine. sending love back to all."

She then finished the post with an encouragement to those suffering with mental health issues: "Keep sharing, keep listening and let's keep on campaigning to find the support needed for those living with #depression #mentalillness #mentalhealthawareness 💜🙏🏼🌹#love."

**Have you been following Zoe's journey? Let us know over on **Facebook and Twitter.

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NOW READ: The UK's favourite top 20 Christmas number ones

Gallery

The UK's favourite top 20 Christmas number ones

Beatles1 of 20
CREDIT: Capitol Records

20) The Beatles – Day Tripper/ We Can Work It Out

The final song on the list is none other than - you guessed it - The Beatles! Their 1965 hit won 8% of votes.

Beatles2 of 20
CREDIT: Getty Images

19) The Beatles – I Feel Fine

The second of The Beatles' hits to appear on this list was I Feel Fine, released in 1964 and was voted best Christmas song by 8%.

Pet Shop Boys3 of 20
CREDIT: Getty Images

18) Pet Shop Boys – Always on My Mind

Pet Shop Boys' 1988 hit Always On My Mind won 9% of the votes.

Boney M4 of 20
CREDIT: Getty Images

17) Boney M – Mary’s Boy Child

Boney M's version of Mary's Boy Child also appears in the list - their 1981 version won 10% of the votes.

Spice Girls5 of 20
CREDIT: Virgin

16) Spice Girls – 2 Become 1

This 1996 banger is the soundtrack to all 90s kids' childhoods - so it's no surprise that 2 Become 1 made the list with 10%.

The Human League6 of 20
CREDIT: Virgin

15) The Human League – Don’t You Want Me

People love this song no matter what time of year it is, but it won the Christmas number one spot in 1981 - and 10% of the votes.

Michael Jackson7 of 20
CREDIT: Epic

14) Michael Jackson – Earth Song

The late Michael Jackson's Earth Song won the top spot in 1995, and was popular with 11% of votes.

Johnny Mathis8 of 20
CREDIT: Getty Images

13) Johnny Mathis – When a Child is Born

Another Christmas cracker, Johnny Mathis' cover of When A Child Is Born was released in 1976 and won 11% of votes.

Elvis Presley9 of 20
CREDIT: Paramount Picutres

12) Elvis Presley – Return to Sender

Elvis Presley's Return To Sender was produced for the 1962 film Girls! Girls! Girls! and received 11% of votes.

Beatles10 of 20
CREDIT: EMI

11) The Beatles – I Want to Hold Your Hand

The Beatles' I Wanna Hold Your Hand is the first of three Beatles tracks on the list - this came out in 1964 and garnered 12% of the votes on this poll.

Alexandra Burke11 of 20
CREDIT: Syco

10) Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah

The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's cover of Hallelujah in 2008 is the most recent release in the list, also winning 13% of votes.

Mud12 of 20
CREDIT: RAK

9) Mud – Lonely This Christmas

Also winning 13% of the votes is Mud with 1974's Lonely This Christmas, for which they took inspiration from the late Elvis Presley.

Band Aid II13 of 20
CREDIT: Stock Aitken Waterman

8) Band Aid II – Do They Know It’s Christmas?

The second version of Do They Know It's Christmas? was released five years later in 1989, and is popular with 13% of voters.

East 1714 of 20
CREDIT: London

7) East 17 - Stay Another Day

East 17's 1994 ballad is synonymous with Christmas, winning 13% of the votes.

Harry Belafonte15 of 20
CREDIT: RCA Victor

6) Harry Belafonte – Mary’s Boy Child

This 1956 track received 15% of the votes.

Shakin Stevens16 of 20
CREDIT: Epic

5) Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone

This has been one of the stalwart songs of the festive period since its release in 1985, winning 16% of the votes.

Whitney Houston17 of 20
CREDIT: Warner Bros.

4) Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

Whitney recorded Dolly Parton's hit for the film The Bodyguard which she starred in with Kevin Costner in 1992 which got 17% of the votes.

Band Aid18 of 20
CREDIT: Getty Images

3) Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?

24% of voters chose Bob Geldof's 1984 anthem which highlighted the issues that were ongoing in other countries.

Slade19 of 20
CREDIT: TMF

2) Slade - Merry Christmas Everybody

Noddy Holder's famous screech of "IT'S CHRISTMAS!" will go down in history from this song released in 1973, chosen by 25% of voters.

Queen20 of 20
CREDIT: EMI

1) Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody was released in 1975, but has stood the test of time and is still wildly popular to this day as proven by 35% of the voters.

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