Fatboy Slim has revealed that his proudest achievement with ex-wife Zoe Ball is how they’ve stayed incredibly close as friends and parents—even after their marriage ended. But he admits it wasn’t always easy.
The former couple tied the knot in 1999, and while their marriage hit turbulence when Zoe, 55, admitted to an affair with DJ Daniel Peppe, they patched things up just three months later. Ultimately, they divorced in 2016—but the bond they’ve built as co-parents remains unbroken. 
Speaking on Davina McCall’s Begin Again podcast, Norman Cook reflected on the journey: “Going through it together was great because Zoe is a really good teacher. She’s measured, grounded… and she kept me really connected to reality. She’s, and still is, one of my closest friends.”
He added, “Our triumph is to remain really good friends and parents, even though we’re not a couple anymore. It was a bit awkward at first, but then we found a rhythm. Honestly, we’re probably better now than we were as a couple. You can sign up for marriage and get divorced, but you can never stop being parents.”
Fatboy Slim has said his ‘triumph’ with ex Zoe Ball is that they’ve remained really good friends and parents, but admitted it was ‘a bit awkward at first’
The former couple tied the knot in 1999 and ended their marriage in 2016 (pictured in 2015)
Speaking to Davina McCall on her Begin Again podcast on Thursday, Norman revealed that their greatest achievement is how they’ve kept such a good relationship after their split – something he is proud of
The pair have two children, Woody, 25, and Nelly, 16, who remain at the heart of their partnership. Just last week, the family reunited at a friend’s wedding at Parnham Park in Dorset, where Zoe shared adorable clips of Norman and their daughter Nelly, the bridesmaid. Zoe looked stunning in a cream ruffled dress, while Norman was dapper in grey. Nelly wore a white maxi dress with a flower crown.
Zoe has also spoken about her daughter splitting time between homes. On her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, she said: “Mine’s so quiet now—it’s nice. Nel spends more time at her dad’s because it works better for her, and I can nip round whenever needed. It’s less stressful for everyone.”
Since their split, Zoe has also opened up about navigating new relationships. She’s been dating BAFTA-winning production designer Mathieu Weekes, 49, for over a year. Zoe reflected on her past missteps with introducing partners too quickly to her children, admitting, “It’s tricky. The right person respects your kids and your ex. Patience is key.”
Before Mathieu, she was in a five-year relationship with Michael Reed, which ended in 2023, and previously dated cameraman Billy Yates, who tragically died in 2017.
Zoe and Norman’s love story began in 1997 in Ibiza and led to a marriage two years later at Babington House in Somerset. Seventeen years, two children, and a decade of co-parenting later, their friendship stands as a testament to how families can evolve—pain, mistakes, and all—into something lasting.
💌 Source: Daily Mail
