Fatboy

FATBOY Slim has opened up about the ‘awkwardness’ he felt with ex Zoe Ball after their divorce, shortly after they reunited to take some new family snaps.

The couple tied the knot in 1999 but their romance wasn’t all smooth sailing, with Zoe admitting to having an affair with DJ Daniel Peppe.

After briefly separating the duo got together again three months later up until their divorce in 2016.

Speaking to Davina McCall on her Begin Again podcast about it Fatboy Slim, real name Norman Cook, shared how ‘awkward’ he felt with Zoe initially after the split as they attempted to co-parent their children Woody and Nelly.

Though overall the star praised the dynamic him and Zoe hold today, saying it might even be better now than when they were a couple.

He said: “Our triumph is to remain really good friends and parents, even though we’re not a couple anymore… 

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“It was a bit awkward at first, but then we got this rhythm where… we’re probably actually better than we were when we were a couple.

“You sign on to be parents, that’s for life. 

“You can sign up for marriage and you can get divorced. But you can never stop being parents.”

Norman also praised Zoe for being really good at keeping him “grounded”, noting: “Going through it together was great because, Zoe is a really good teacher, she was really good, really measured and she’s kept me really grounded to earth…”

The podcast chat comes a week after Norman and Zoe reunited to attend a friends wedding over the weekend.

Their daughter Nelly was a bridesmaid at the stunning event that took place at Parnham Park in Dorset.

Zoe posted a series of sweet clips and snaps from the day to her Instagram account.

She wore a cream dress with a slit covered in ruffles, while Norman opted for a handsome grey suit.

In the post’s caption, Zoe penned: “Congratulations Eva & James & Willow

“We love you so much. The most perfect wedding celebration for our dear magic friends.

“Groomsmen, Bridesmaids & a few close folk to celebrate the Wedding.”

ZOE Ball has opened up about having an empty nest at home, after her daughter Nelly, 16, moved out to live with her dad, Fatboy Slim, full time.

The former Radio 2 DJ, 55, who recently lost out on the Strictly Come Dancing hosting job, is now living in a “quieter” house with her boyfriend.

Mum-of-two Zoe shares both Nelly, and son Woody, 25, with her ex-husband, Norman Cook, 62.

But, the presenter has revealed how her house is now “so quiet” after both of her children had moved out, as her son now lives in Bristol.

Speaking to Jo Whiley, 60, on their Dig It podcast, Zoe reflected on how empty her Brighton home was, in comparison to her co-host’s busy house.

“Mine’s so quiet, it’s like ugh! It’s less and less because Nel is based more at her dad’s now because I think she’s got to that point of, ‘Ah can I just be in one place?’” the star said.

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“All of her CSI revision notes are on the wall at her dads and it’s just [nice] not having to move from house to house, so she’s just spending more time there now.”

Zoe then revealed how Nelly was not far away, as Norman lived closed by.

“It’s great because it’s only around the corner and I can nip round at any time, which is great, and she can come here if she gets upset about anything like, ‘Mum, I need you’ but it’s less and less,” she said.

But Zoe isn’t on her own in her big house, as she moved her boyfriend Mathieu Weekes, 49, into the family home earlier this year.

The couple have been dating for a year now, with the pair completely smitten with each other.

Speaking about being a single mum and dating, Zoe previously told her podcast: “Introducing new partners, it’s a tricky one.

“You just have to go with the feeling of it. I think it’s okay to have a bit of a private life that isn’t part of the kids’ life for a little bit.

“In the past I’ve rushed that by welcoming someone in and being like ‘here’s my kids. Here’s my life. This is me.’

“And it’s all a bit much. It’s all a bit much for me. It’s all a bit much for the kids.

“Hopefully at some point there is someone where you think actually this person’s pretty cool and they’re pretty laid-back and they’re not going to come in and demand to be part of your kids’ lives.”

Meanwhile, this latest revelation comes just days after Zoe opened up to The Sun about how she REALLY feels about not getting the plum Strictly hosting job.

The star was beaten to the role by comedian Josh Widdicombe, 43, presenter Emma Willis, 50, and dance pro Johannes Radebe, 39.

The trio take over from Claudia Winkleman, 53, and Tess Daly, 57, who stepped down last year.

Zoe told The Sun: “I screen tested with Josh and he is hilarious. He is going to be so good.

“Emma is just gorgeous and I love Johannes, so they are going to ace it.

“And I don’t have to have a facelift, so I’m quite happy.”

Zoe also sent her congratulations to the trio, and thinks they will give the series a boost.

She said: “I have messaged Emma, Josh and Johannes — they are going to be brilliant.

“You know what? It needed fresh energy, and you can totally see why that’s happening.

“It’s like, move forwards, and that is great.”