Zoe Ball’s famous son shares emotional tribute and unseen family snaps with Fatboy Slim as she quits BBC Radio 2 show
ZOE Ball’s famous son shared an emotional tribute to his mum after she quit her BBC Radio 2 show.
Woody Cook, 23, posted unseen family snaps with Fatboy Slim and rarely seen sister Nelly, 14, to congratulate his mum – eight years after their divorce.
The Circle reality star and DJ, Woody, wrote on Instagram: “Well done Mama on a fabulous stint on Radio 2!
“Here’s to more time at home!
“Excuse the whole family pic can’t find enough crackers with @zoetheball.
“YOU ARE AMAZING. 4AM is a crazy time to get up!”
Zoe replied: “Love you Bear. beyond xxx.”
The picture showed Woody with his mum, dad and sister Nelly, 14.
Zoe, 53, stepped down as the host of BBC Radio Two’s Breakfast Show this week.
She will present her final show on December 20 – with Scott Mills replacing her in the New Year.
Her decision to go was tinged with sadness.
The death of her mum Julia in April, we are told, was a driving factor.
Zoe had stepped back from her role on the show in March to be by her mother’s side before she died.
She temporarily returned to work on August 8, before taking an extended break and returning in September.
Friends said this long period of leave gave Zoe time to think about what she really wanted in life — and that was to take a step back from the show, which was ruling her life.
Recently, Zoe reunited with her ex-husband, Norman Cook, AKA, DJ Fatboy Slim, as they cheered on Woody at a seaside gig in Brighton.
The couple, who separated after 18 years of marriage in 2016, were seen dancing in the audience at i360 Brighton Seafront, where DJ son Woody was playing a set.
Zoe Ball's career so far
Zoe was born in Blackpool and is daughter of the children’s TV presenter Johnny Ball and his wife Julia.
She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children’s show, Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest.
The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays.
After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top of the Pops, when she alternated with the likes of Jayne Middlemiss and Jo Whiley.
In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One‘s saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4.
But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997.
Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post.
The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, where she was succeeded by Sara Cox.
As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both Soapstar Superstar and Grease Is The Word in 2007.
In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as Radio X), when she was the voice of the weekday drivetime show until December 2003. In 2004, she stood in for Ricky Gervais while he filmed the second series of The Office.
In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Ian Waite, The star impressed viewers with her footwork and the duo waltzed into third place.
In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, It Takes Two.
She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries.
After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe announced she was quitting her role on BBC Two in May 2021.
Zoe’s journey in BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries. Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O’Leary, Ken Bruce and Chris Evans.
After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot’s Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm.
In October 2018, Chris Evans moved to Virgin Radio and he personally announced that Zoe would take over his popular slot. She started presenting the breakfast show on 14 January 2019.
Those close to Zoe said her children Woody, 23, and Nelly, 14, with her ex-husband Norman Cook — AKA Fat Boy Slim — were also in her mind when she chose to hand over the radio mantel.
Woody found fame away from his mum when he appeared on Channel 4‘s The Circle.
He lasted until the final playing himself in the reality show – but didn’t reveal who his famous parents are until weeks into the series.
The all-star line-up included Nick Grimshaw, Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash, Harry Redknapp and Laura Whitmore.
And fans were in hysterics at Woody unknowingly flirting with Richard Madeley.
Woody also appeared alongside mum Zoe on Celebrity Gogglebox 2020.