Zoe Ball has stated that her on-air ‘meltdown’ was due to a medical condition

 

Zoe Ball has opened up about experiencing a “meltdown” during the filming of a TV show, attributing it to her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD, a condition impacting behaviour, often manifests in restlessness and challenges with concentration and impulsive actions, as outlined by the NHS website.

The 53-year-old faced considerable difficulty during the filming of Taskmaster’s New Year’s Treat, especially with a task involving mathematical timings and a toaster. Ball admitted that this particular task triggered a “meltdown” for her and caused significant discomfort.

Speaking to The Mirror, she shared, “I have 18 pairs of glasses and I will still lose them all… My brain is just all over the place. So, there was this task that involved timing, which involves maths, which isn’t my strong suit, and I started to have a meltdown. It really took a toll on me.”

Taskmaster 2024

The festive special of Taskmaster is scheduled to air on January 2, 2024, although it was recorded in front of a live studio audience on November 27. Comedian Ball joined a star-studded lineup for the show, which includes Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden, Steve Backshall, Lenny Rush, and Kojey Radical.

Hosts Greg Davies and Alex Horne presented an array of eccentric challenges for the celebrity contestants on this reality show. In the most recent series, Sam Campbell emerged victorious, triumphing over fellow comedians Julian Clary, Lucy Beaumont, Sue Perkins, and Susan Wokoma.

Zoe Ball on ADHD

In another part of the interview, Ball shared her experiences dealing with ADHD, finding a humorous side to it. She also disclosed that her 21-year-old son, Woody, shares the diagnosis with her, making them quite alike.

“I am ADHD,” she clarified. “My son and I, we’re quite a pair. Sometimes, I crack myself up. In a confined space with a heap of tasks, I can cover a multitude of areas. My family finds it amusing because they discover my stuff in peculiar spots, and they say, ‘Follow the trail to understand what mum was up to.'”

As time passes, she mentioned feeling more liberated. “I’m just looking forward to more whimsical escapades. In my 50s, I’m having a blast.”

Sam Thompson on ADHD

Numerous celebrities have shared their experiences with ADHD. Most recently, reality TV personality Sam Thompson opened up about his own journey with ADHD while appearing on ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here’. He recounted how it affected his school life, stating: “No one really noticed it during my school days, but if you glance at all of my report cards, every single one echoes the same sentiment: ‘A pleasant enough lad, but struggles to concentrate.’”

Reflecting further, he added: “It’s evident. If I had known as a child, not much might have changed, but it would likely have altered how I perceived myself. I recall moments of tears while staring at my textbook because I couldn’t grasp the words entering my mind. You want to excel. You don’t aim to be troublesome or anything of the sort.”

Later, in a personal moment while alone in the jungle, he elaborated: “I’m not ashamed of having ADHD whatsoever. Yet, I believe that if I had been diagnosed earlier in my schooling, I would have felt more positive about myself because I truly believed I was just inadequate at everything.”