Best recognised as the first woman to host the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show and later the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Zoe Ball is the highest-earning radio presenter employed by the BBC. The household name has been going through challenging times recently and has had significant personal changes.
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The 53-year-old lost her mother Julia in early 2024 and took a break from her BBC Radio 2 Show, signalling that she needed space to process her emotions. This period of upheaval has seen Zoe draw closer to her ex-husband, Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim—who learnt to play violin with Keir Starmer.
The pair, who share two children, have remained on good terms since their split in 2016. They now seem to be rekindling their bond, leaning on each other for emotional support during Zoe's difficult year.
Zoe Ball moves home to be closer to ex-husband, claims sources
Despite their separation eight years ago, sources have claimed that recent times have brought the two closer, reports The Express. The two are said to be ‘inseparable’ and have been ‘spending more time together than ever’ as Zoe deals with the death of her mother. A local friend of the couple said:
They always seem to be together.
Another insider added that the two have started going to their son Woody's DJ-ing gigs together again.
In September, a report by The Sun said that Zoe made the decision to move closer to her ex-husband as she relocated to a townhouse situated between Brighton and Hove, where he resides. This came as she wanted a ‘fresh start.’ A source claimed:
Zoe obviously got fed up with life in the country and wanted to move to somewhere a bit more lively.
Another source added:
Zoe knows she can just be herself around Norman and he picks her up when she’s down. And now, after everything, she’s realised that she can’t be far away from him. Which is why she’s moving back to Hove so she can be a lot closer to him.
As Zoe struggles to deal with her mother’s death, Norman is said to be her ‘rock’ in the process, reports ED. The source alleged:
Despite them splitting up, Norman is the one person she can still rely on and he has been her rock, as he always is.
A recap of Zoe Ball and Norman Cook’s relationship
Zoe Ball and Norman Cook’s relationship began in 1997, and two years later, in 1999, they tied the knot. The couple had their first child, Woody, in 2000, followed by a daughter, Nelly, in 2010. Despite the strong bond they shared, their marriage faced some challenges.
As reported by Daily Mail, in 2003, the pair briefly separated after Norman discovered Zoe had been unfaithful. However, they were able to reconcile soon after, continuing their relationship for many years. By 2016, after nearly two decades of marriage, the couple announced their permanent separation, stating they had ‘come to the end of their rainbow.’ The two got divorced in 2020 and Zoe has had two serious relationships since the separation.
Despite this, Zoe and Norman have remained good friends, focusing on raising their children together.
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Sources used:
The Express: BBC Radio 2's Zoe Ball and ex Fatboy Slim 'inseparable' as she moves home to be near him
The Sun: Zoe Ball ‘sells £2m mansion to move closer to ex-husband Fatboy Slim’ after split from lover amid Radio 2 disappearance
Entertainment Daily: Zoe Ball’s ex-husband Fatboy Slim acting as her ‘rock’ as she’s ‘struggling’ with family heartache following radio absence
Daily Mail: A look back at Zoe Ball's tumultuous relationship with Fatboy Slim ex-husband Norman Cook as he supports her amid Radio 2 absence
