Zoe Ball has been enjoying a quieter pace of life over recent months since leaving her BBC Radio 2 show in December. She is said to have picked up a job with ex-husband Norman Cook, at his Hove coffee shop.
The former couple parted ways in 2016 but have maintained a tight-knit friendship, with Norman – also known as Fatboy Slim – reportedly enlisting his ex-wife to help out at his seaside eatery, The Big Beach Cafe, which he bought in 2013.
And a source tells us the 61-year-old DJ has been a pillar of support for Zoe, 54, over the last 12 months after she lost her mum to cancer last April and subsequently temporarily stepped away from her radio career.
"Zoe relies on Norman so much, they've got one of the best relationships after marriage," a source claimed. "He is such a support to her. Zoe has had so many sad times and is still grieving, she really has been through the mill."
Zoe's mum, Julia, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 12 weeks before her death last spring.
Amidst sharing the sad news of her passing via Instagram with a message to her late parent, Zoe wrote, "Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts. We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other."
And our source says Norman has been by Zoe's side every step of the way as she grapples with grieving her mum.
"He has been her complete rock," they said. "He's supportive, caring and kind."
The couple, who share children Woody, 24, and 15-year-old Nelly together, separated 17 years after their 1999 wedding, with their divorce eventually finalised in 2020.
While many exes grapple with bitter divorces and awkward co-parenting, Zoe and Norman went the opposite direction and became the best of friends following their split.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1740460799/articles/rq_3zjzwn1740470078224/0014606950.jpg]
Talking in 2023, Norman praised his ex-wife for keeping him grounded at the height of his fame throughout the 2000s and admitted she always kept him in check.
"We were both quite good at keeping each other's feet on the ground because it's hard when everyone's saying, 'Here, have this, take this, drink this, you're brilliant.' It's hard to keep some kind of limit and say, 'I am actually a human being, not a superstar.' I think we probably saved each other a lot of bother," said Norman.
Zoe even moved closer to Norman last August as she is said to have packed up her Sussex home for a townhouse between Brighton and Hove.
The move came just months before she decided to part ways with her popular slot on BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show, handing the reins over to replacement Scott Mills as she shared her desire to "focus on family". And si...
The former couple parted ways in 2016 but have maintained a tight-knit friendship, with Norman – also known as Fatboy Slim – reportedly enlisting his ex-wife to help out at his seaside eatery, The Big Beach Cafe, which he bought in 2013.
And a source tells us the 61-year-old DJ has been a pillar of support for Zoe, 54, over the last 12 months after she lost her mum to cancer last April and subsequently temporarily stepped away from her radio career.
"Zoe relies on Norman so much, they've got one of the best relationships after marriage," a source claimed. "He is such a support to her. Zoe has had so many sad times and is still grieving, she really has been through the mill."
Zoe's mum, Julia, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 12 weeks before her death last spring.
Amidst sharing the sad news of her passing via Instagram with a message to her late parent, Zoe wrote, "Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts. We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other."
And our source says Norman has been by Zoe's side every step of the way as she grapples with grieving her mum.
"He has been her complete rock," they said. "He's supportive, caring and kind."
The couple, who share children Woody, 24, and 15-year-old Nelly together, separated 17 years after their 1999 wedding, with their divorce eventually finalised in 2020.
While many exes grapple with bitter divorces and awkward co-parenting, Zoe and Norman went the opposite direction and became the best of friends following their split.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1740460799/articles/rq_3zjzwn1740470078224/0014606950.jpg]
Talking in 2023, Norman praised his ex-wife for keeping him grounded at the height of his fame throughout the 2000s and admitted she always kept him in check.
"We were both quite good at keeping each other's feet on the ground because it's hard when everyone's saying, 'Here, have this, take this, drink this, you're brilliant.' It's hard to keep some kind of limit and say, 'I am actually a human being, not a superstar.' I think we probably saved each other a lot of bother," said Norman.
Zoe even moved closer to Norman last August as she is said to have packed up her Sussex home for a townhouse between Brighton and Hove.
The move came just months before she decided to part ways with her popular slot on BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show, handing the reins over to replacement Scott Mills as she shared her desire to "focus on family". And si...
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New UK (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 03, 2025