Zoe Ball has opened up about her ‘crippling anxiety’ and panic attacks that made it difficult for her to work while starring on her Radio 2 shows
Zoe Ball has opened up about her ‘crippling anxiety’ and panic attacks as she reveals that it became so intense she found it difficult to work.
Speaking on her Dig It podcast, she revealed to Jo Whiley and Owen O’Kane that she struggled with anxiety at a pivotal point in her career while working on radio.
“For me personally, and I know everyone’s thing is different I’ve always been very laid back, I worry about the regular things. ‘But I started to have panic attacks and I think it was from grief, because that’s when it started for me,” she said.
The star has had major grief during her career with the death of her partner, Billy Yates, in 2017 and her mother, Julia Peckham, dying from pancreatic cancer in April 2024.
She explained that perimenopause added to her anxiety: “And then along came perimenopause as well and then I started to have crippling anxiety to the point where I was struggling to work or get through a show. It’s so… crippling is the word.
“I just didn’t really know where to go with it, you go to the doctor and it was that feeling of when you’re in it, not being able to get out of it.’
She shared that she has now been able to find her way out of the anxiety, explaining: “Anyway, I’ve come out of it, I’ve learned a lot about it, I’ve had some brilliant help from some great people along the way.”
Owen O’Kane’s response and advice led Zoe to tear up, as he said that it was natural to feel anxiety as our life changes in major ways.
“It’s a transitional phase in life, things are happening, kids are leaving home, elderly parents. We are moving toward the latter stages of our lives, we are letting go of being younger, we are letting go of old experiences or letting go of relationships,” he said.
“We’re letting go of people we’ve lost, it’s never one thing so of course how could we not be anxious in these periods?”
She replied: “Honestly, Owen, I have to say, I actually feel quite emotional listening to you today because I’m just thinking about all the situations and all the people I know who would be really helped by hearing you speak.”
Zoe left her breakfast show on Radio 2 in 2025, with her final show airing at the end of the year. The star previously revealed on her podcast that she took antidepressants towards the end of her time on radio.
“And when I was doing the Breakfast Show, I had horrific anxiety. That was my worst sort of symptom and that involved panic attacks, not being able to breathe, a lot of tears, quite a low mood and it was quite frightening at times.
“Once I sussed out that was a major cause… because I did go on anti-depressants for a while for my anxiety, but I’m off those now and I’m really glad to be off those, but they did help for a little period of time,” she said on her podcast in 2025.
Before Zoe left her breakfast show on Radio 2 she was one of the highest-paid female presenters at the BBC, taking home an estimated £950,000. Since leaving the station she has concentrated on her podcast as well as her family including children Nelly, 16, and Woody, 25 and her new relationship with boyfriend Mathieu Weekes.
In a recent episode she discussed the challenges of introducing a new partner to your children. Her son, Woody commented on the clip shared on Instagram : “You’re good at this Mum.”
To this Zoe replied: “@woody_cook love you Bear. you’ve been so patient with me ha.”
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