'I lost my boyfriend... and I really wanted to do something': Zoe Ball reflects on tragic loss of Billy Yates ahead of final day of 350-mile Sport Relief bike ride

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She's taking part in a 350-mile Sport Relief: Zoe's Hardest Road Home bike ride in order to help those battling mental illnesses. 

And Zoe Ball, 47, paid tribute to her late boyfriend Billy Yates ahead of the fifth and final day of her challenge on Friday. 

She said: 'I lost my boyfriend last year, and I really wanted to do something and find some hope for people that are living with mental illness. 

'I lost my boyfriend... and I really wanted to do something': Zoe Ball has been reflecting on the tragic loss of Billy Yates (pictured) ahead of final day of 350-mile Sport Relief bike ride 

Zoe is taking part in a 350-mile Sport Relief: Zoe's Hardest Road Home bike ride in order to help those battling mental illnesses and Friday is her fifth and final day 

'To help others find some help and see there are great projects out there. In 2016 over 6,000 people died by suicide. Help is really, really needed.'

Cameraman Billy was found hanged in his flat in Putney in May 2017, and was pronounced dead after paramedics were unable to revive him, having arrived minutes after he was discovered in his flat.

Zoe has put her all into her challenge and has now raised more than £332k, with the figure no doubt set to rise.   

She said: 'To help others find some help and see there are great projects out there. In 2016 over 6,000 people died by suicide. Help is really, really needed'

Good job: Zoe has put her all into her challenge and has now raised more than £332k, with the figure no doubt set to rise 

Go for it! 60 hard miles stand between her and a warm welcome from family and friends on Brighton Pier, where her journey ends - she began in her birthplace of Blackpool

60 hard miles stand between her and a warm welcome from family and friends on Brighton Pier, where her journey ends - she began in her birthplace of Blackpool.

She is relying on the amazing support and donations from the public to keep her going as she grinds out the final stretch of her epic journey.

Zoe said: 'It was a very hard day yesterday, I fell into a ditch and I am paying for it today - my legs are very sore. 

Dream team: Zoe was spurred on by Fearne Cotton on Thursday, as she joined her for the fourth day of her gruelling challenge, in aid of Sport Relief

'This morning was brutal, it was almost an out of body experience, but the people along the way are so amazing and full of love.'

The day before, Zoe was spurred on by Fearne Cotton, as she joined her for the fourth day of her gruelling challenge.

Taking to Instagram, the Celebrity Juice panelist, 36, shared a snap of herself and Zoe clad in hot pink sports wear, and paid tribute to her 'incredibly strong and positive' pal after they rode together through Oxford.  

Fearne, who has released two successful cook books, surprised Zoe with a homemade cake on her inevitably tough fourth day, before she grabbed her bike to join her for the stint through Oxford.

She first shared a snap of herself and Zoe cruising through the streets on their bikes, beaming in their pink sportswear, helmets and high-vis jackets. 

Fearne then shared a snap of the pair in a pub, as they celebrated their joint 17-mile effort and enjoyed some respite, before Zoe continued on to Marlow.

'Zoe Ball you are an incredible human': She shared a snap of herself and Zoe cruising through the streets on their bikes, and paid emotional tribute to her pal in the caption

Immensely proud of her pal, the former Radio 1 host wrote in the caption: 

'What a joyful afternoon with this legend.@zoetheball you are an incredible human with such positivity and strength. 

'It was lovely cycling and chatting and supporting zoe on her #hardestroadhome cycle,' before urging followers: 'Please do donate if you can sportrelief.com/zoe'   

Challenge accepted: Over five incredibly tough days, Zoe is attempting to cycle from Blackpool, the place of her birth, all the way to her beloved hometown of Brighton

After crossing the finish line at Marlow on Thursday, Zoe had raised almost £200,000 for Sport Relief, with one final day of cycling to go. 

The second day saw Zoe travel through Shropshire, with a rugby team and John Bishop joining her for some of the way, while the third say her battle the hilliest terrain yet.

Speaking after Wednesday's ride, which saw her battle extreme weather conditions, Zoe said: 'The saddle sore is the least of my worries. When it's wet, gravelly and you are getting splashed by lorries and battered by a really cold wind - it's terrifying. 

Go Zoe Go! After crossing the finish line at Marlow on Thursday, Zoe had raised almost £200,000 for Sport Relief, with one final day of cycling to go

Helping hand: The second day saw Zoe travel through Shropshire, with a rugby team and John Bishop (above) joining her for some of the way

'Yesterday I thought, can I do this...I'm not sure…People are waiting a long time to wave at us, and it's not warm out. It just fills your heart and brings a tear to the eye. 

'It's getting really tough, but people are seeing me through this and donating. It's wonderful.' 

Zoe's challenge will be broadcast on a BBC1 documentary, which will air during the week of Sport Relief, taking place from March 17. 

Battling through: Speaking after Wednesday's ride, which saw her battle extreme weather , Zoe said 'It's getting really tough, but people are seeing me through this and donating'