Zoe Ball has sensationally quit her role as BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host, with the star's ex husband Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, sure to be on hand to offer his support.
Zoe Ball has left her listeners stunned with the announcement that she's stepping down from the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, but there's one person who remains a pillar of support - her former husband Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim.
The pair, who became an iconic duo in the '90s, first crossed paths in Ibiza back in the summer of 1997, their mutual love for dance music sparking a connection.
They tied the knot on the cusp of the new millennium and have two children together, Woody, 23, and Nelly, 14. In 2016, Zoe and Norman publicly acknowledged the end of their romantic journey, stating they had reached the 'end of [their] rainbow', yet their friendship endured.
Norman, now 61, has been by Zoe's side throughout a particularly tough year.
Earlier in March, Zoe revealed she would be taking a break to look after her mother, Julia Peckham, who was battling pancreatic cancer. Tragically, Julia passed away in May, prompting Zoe to share a poignant tribute.
She described her mother's funeral as 'tough yet perfect' and expressed her feelings on social media: "Yesterday we said goodbye to our dear Mama, Granny J. It was the perfect day and she would have loved it, forever in our hearts Mama, thank you for your magic and love. Missing you so much but holding tight to each other."
In August, Zoe took a break from her morning presenting role, returning to the airwaves in late September after having Norman by her side during her time of need, reports the Mirror. The pair were first seen together since Zoe's BBC Radio 2 hiatus, sharing laughter with friends outside a Hove café.
According to a Hove insider speaking to the Daily Mail, Zoe and Norman are "spending more time together than ever" as she deals with her loss. Another source revealed that the former couple have been seen supporting their son Woody's DJ sets.
It's understood that Zoe and Norman come together for family events and regular Sunday lunches with their children, upholding a harmonious co-parenting bond. In a significant move, Zoe has recently relocated from her £2million rural abode to a Brighton townhouse, not far from Norman's residence.
Their amicable co-parenting has been commended, though Zoe admits it hasn't always been smooth sailing. Praising Norman as 'the best dad' in a heartfelt 2020 Red magazine interview, Zoe acknowledged: "He is such a good friend and a good guy. It's not always been easy and it's taken time. He's been through a lot, I've been through a lot, but now we're in a great place as parents together."
She added: "We do sometimes look at them [their children] and go, 'Wow, despite what we've been through, we made it' because they're brilliant kids."
Now, the stars share a close enough bond to exchange playful banter about their past marriage. In June 2023, ahead of Glastonbury, the Praise You hitmaker joined Zoe on her radio show, leading to a humorous moment when Zoe almost slipped up introducing him.
She said: "I now welcome to the show somebody you may know from The Housemartins, Pizzaman, Beats International – I nearly forgot what you were called then, sorry."
Norman quipped back: "And such things as our marriage."
Zoe responded with a light-hearted tone, "And such things as our marriage. It is Fatboy Slim aka Norman Cook."
This morning, Zoe announced live on air that she was ready to 'start a new chapter' after six years of early mornings, while confirming her continued association with Radio 2 in a different capacity.
Zoe shared with her listeners: "Ok you lovely bunch, I have some news. After six years of fun times alongside you all on the Breakfast Show, I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. You know I think the world of you all listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you, to go through life's little ups and downs, we got through the lockdown together, didn't we?
"We've shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there's been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats. I'm going to miss my amazing Prod Squad who I adore. Already missing Mike, I'm going to miss Tina and Richie. They've all become like family to me, like you lot. But I won't miss the 4am alarm call, if I'm completely honest. So my last Breakfast show will be with you on the 20th of December and then its high kicks all the way to Christmas, gang.
"I'm not going to be a stranger, I'm staying in the Radio 2 crew and family because it's an amazing family - as we saw last week with Paddy's fantastic Children in Need challenge- and I'll have more news on that in the New Year. I just want to say I'm so grateful to my incredible boss ladies, to Helen and Laura and Lorna and Fiona, they have always been so supportive of me especially in this job and particularly this year, so thank you ladies.
"Now of course it leaves us with a big question, who is going to wake you up in the mornings? Well the good news is you don't have to wait very long to find out. I am going to reveal the brand new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on this show this morning . But for now, know I love you all to bits and this song from Supertramp seemed like a good one to play."
Zoe, a pioneer in the broadcasting industry, made history as the first woman to host the Radio 1 Breakfast Show from 1998 to 2000. She joined Radio 2 in 2006 and again broke barriers in January 2019 by becoming the first female presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, succeeding Chris Evans.
She has now announced her departure after December 20.
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.
)
English (US) ·