BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reveals ADHD diagnosis
People with the condition can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball has revealed she has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Ball,53, opened up about the condition which leaves her finding it difficult to complete certain tasks.
ADHD is a condition that affects people’s behaviour. Those with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.
Speaking about the impact the condition has on her, the broadcaster told The Mirror: “My brain is just all over the goddamn shop.”
The presenter said she particularly felt the effects of ADHD while filming for Taskmaster, which airs on 2 January.
One of the tasks Ball had to complete required mathematical timings and trying to work things out reportedly caused her to “melt down”.
She said: “So a particular task involved a bit of timing, which is maths, which is, again, not a strength, I physically started to melt down. That did hurt my head.”
“I am ADHD,” she added, according to The Mirror.
Ball’s son, Woody also struggles with the condition, “My son [Woody] and I are both, we’re quite similar. I make myself laugh sometimes, because if I’m in a small space and I’ve got loads of tasks to do, I can cover so many miles.
“My family, they laugh because they’ll find things of mine in certain places and they’re like, ‘If you follow this, you’ll see what Mum was trying to achieve,” Ball said.
“I have 18 pairs of glasses and I will still lose all of them… my brain is just all over the goddamn shop,” she added.
Woody, her 23-year-old son with Norman Cook also known as DJ Fatboy Slim, previously described how he copes with his disorder.
“Throughout my life, I’ve struggled with having dyslexia and ADHD and always struggled to work really hard on things but when the wind caught [with DJing] I got obsessed and really began working hard,” he said.
Ball says that despite her condition she has become increasingly carefree as she gets older, adding: “I’m just hoping for more daft adventures. I’m in my 50s and I’m like, I’m having so much fun.”
The Independent has contacted Zoe Ball’s representatives for a comment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments