Zoe Ball, the much-loved broadcaster, has shared some candid insights about the ups and downs of introducing new partners to her family, especially after her recent whirlwind romance with BAFTA-winning production designer, Mathieu Weekes.
Having recently opened up on her Dig It podcast, Zoe, 55, reflected on her past mistakes of rushing into introducing boyfriends to her children too soon. “Introducing new partners is tricky,” she confessed, admitting to her co-host Jo Whiley that she’d made these mistakes more than once. “In the past, I’ve rushed it and thought ‘here’s my life, here’s my kids’. It was all a bit much—for me and the kids,” she revealed.
With her 49-year-old beau, Mathieu, Zoe appears to have found a more laid-back approach, taking her time in letting him into her family life. “The right person will respect your relationship with your kids and with your ex,” Zoe said, offering heartfelt advice to those struggling with similar dilemmas. She emphasized the importance of not rushing into anything too soon. “I think the right person will understand the boundaries and won’t push to be part of your kids’ lives right away.”
Zoe’s advice to parents navigating the waters of post-divorce relationships comes from years of experience. After her split with ex-husband, Norman Cook (AKA Fatboy Slim), Zoe has remained on friendly terms with him, co-parenting their two children, Woody (25) and Nelly (16).
But Zoe’s relationships haven’t always been smooth sailing. Before Mathieu, she spent five years with Michael Reed, but the relationship fizzled out in 2023 after Michael’s growing demands. Prior to that, Zoe’s partner was the cameraman Billy Yates, who tragically passed away in 2017 after battling depression.
Zoe’s advice to anyone going through a tough breakup? “Leaving a relationship when you know it’s the right thing is so hard. You feel guilty. You feel terrible for your kids. But when the dust settles, you realize it was the best decision.”
Her journey with Norman is filled with highs and lows, including a brief separation in 2003 when Zoe’s affair with a close friend came to light. Despite the heartbreak, Norman welcomed her back after she promised to never see the other man again. Their separation in 2016 marked the end of their 17-year marriage.
Now, Zoe is looking forward to a bright future with Mathieu, who has worked on award-winning shows like The Traitors, I’m A Celeb, and Squid Game: The Challenge. The two met while working on the 2023 talent show Mamma Mia! – I Have a Dream in Greece.
As Zoe continues to explore her relationship with Mathieu, she remains deeply committed to balancing her personal life with being a loving mother to her kids—and above all, showing that family always comes first.
