Zoe Ball reunites with ex Norman Cook at daughter's birthday bash

Zoe Ball reunites with ex Norman Cook at daughter's birthday bash
Source: Daily Mail Online

It was a weekend of family celebrations for Zoe Ball following her shock announcement on Saturday that she has quit her BBC Radio 2 show after just seven months.

After throwing her daughter Nelly a wild 16th birthday party on Saturday night, Sunday was about her eldest son Woody, who turned 25.

The proud mum shared a birthday tribute to her eldest on Instragram as she gushed it was '25 years of Woo'.

'We love you Bear. Happy Birthday Eve Sonford, love luckiest Mumford,' she wrote alongside a family snap of herself, her ex husband Norman Cook, Nelly, Woody and Woody's girlfriend Ruby.

Other snaps in the carousel showed Woody with his grandfather, Zoe's dad Johnny Ball, and her late mother Julia alongside childhood throwbacks.

Zoe and her ex Norman reunited on Saturday night to celebrate daughter Nell's 16th birthday, with the superstar DJ, otherwise known as Fatboy Slim, taking to the decks for a set with his son Woody, who has followed his dad into Djing.

It was a weekend of family celebrations for Zoe Ball as she shared a 25th birthday tribute to her son Woody, posing with her ex Norman Cook, daughter Nell, Woody and his girlfriend Ruby.

Other snaps in the carousel showed Woody with his grandfather, Zoe's dad Johnny Ball.

Zoe and Norman were together for 18 years before splitting in 2016, but their relationship was not entirely smooth sailing and they briefly split in 2003 after Zoe had an affair with DJ Dan Peppe.

Last year, Zoe's father Johnny Ball shared that her relationship with Norman was better now than it had been when they were married.

He told Boom Radio: 'They're very good friends today, you know. They're great friends. They're divorced, but they're better....
'If you like they're closer today than they were when they were married. And that's a lovely thing. It's a lovely thing.'

On Saturday, Zoe announced live on air that she was quitting her weekend show on BBC Radio 2 after just seven months, with her final broadcast just days away.

The DJ, who returned to the station in May after stepping down from the flagship Breakfast Show last year, will be replaced by Emma Willis, 49.

Zoe revealed she will be hosting her final Saturday show on December 20, but will 'not disappear completely' and return to host specials on Radio 2.

Revealing Emma's identity to listeners, she said: 'I have loved being betwixt my dear friends [and fellow presenters] Romesh [Ranganathan] and Rylan, and you know, I love you all to bits, but I'm not disappearing completely.'

One photo saw a teenage Woody with Zoe's beloved late mother Julia, who died last year.

Zoe included childhood snaps of Woody and daughter Nell with their dad Norman.

'Obviously, it'll be Christmas Crooners and I'm doing an Eras show in the New Year, more on that later. I am thrilled to tell you that you will be in the safest of hands, because there is a super woman who is no stranger to you all, but this does mean that she will officially become a member of the Radio 2 family.'

In an official statement Zoe said: 'Spending Saturday lunchtimes with the Radio 2 gang has been an absolute hoot, the listeners, the stories, and of course my weekly giggles with Romesh and Rylan.'

Before adding: 'I am over the moon for the fabulous Emma to take the reins, she's pure sunshine and is going to bring all the joy (and tunes!) to your Saturdays!'

Meanwhile Emma said: 'I'm a huge fan of Radio 2, so I'm absolutely chuffed to be joining the family - and it's a real honour to follow in the huge footsteps Zoe leaves behind, who's someone I admire and adore.'

'I'm very much looking forward to spending my Saturday lunchtimes with the Radio 2 audience and I'll happily be the filling to a Romesh and Rylan sandwich!'

The BBC later took to Instagram to confirm the news as well as plugging Zoe's first special programme for the station.

They said: 'Zoe will continue to host specials on the station and her first new project is a new series of the award-winning Eras podcast for Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, focusing on the life and legendary career of Phil Collins.'

Emma is no stranger to Radio 2 and has guest hosted shows in the past. She is best known for her TV work hosting The Voice and Love Is Blind UK alongside husband and Busted star Matt Willis, 42.

Zoe and her ex Norman reunited on Saturday night to celebrate daughter Nell's 16th birthday.

Another image showed Zoe's son Woody posing with his younger sister as they prepared to celebrate her birthday.

Zoe's ex Norman, better known by his stage name Fatboy Slim, sporting a shirt covered with childhood snaps of his daughter.

Zoe was replaced by Scott Mills after stepping down from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in December last year to 'focus on her family', bidding farewell to her £950,000 salary.

Her departure came after an extended break earlier that year following her mother Julia's death from pancreatic cancer in April 2024.

Zoe fought back tears as she revealed she had an emotional breakdown following her mother's death and the sheer impact it had on her, revealing she was forced to take time off work following a breakdown.

Speaking on her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, Zoe said: 'I couldn't work. I was on the floor in the kitchen. I couldn't, I couldn't move.

On Saturday, Zoe announced live on air that she was quitting her weekend show on BBC Radio 2 after just seven months , with her final broadcast just days away

'I had a proper emotional breakdown, you know, I haven't really talked about it actually. But it was, yeah, it was brutal.
'I had an amazing doctor who turned up at my door with coffee and bagels and said, "so, we need to get you some help", and he was wonderful.'

Announcing her mother's death on social media, Zoe wrote: 'Sleep tight dear Mama.'

'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.'