BBC Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball is said to be leaning on ex-husband Fatboy Slim as she grieves the loss of her mother and following her mysterious absence from the airwaves.

Zoe, 53, was married to Norman Cook, 61, from 1999 until 2020, and they share son Woody (born in 2000) and daughter Nelly (born in 2010).

The former couple, who met in Ibiza in 1997, first called time on their relationship after Norman discovered Zoe had been unfaithful with DJ Dan Peppe.

He previously told reporters: ‘I still love her. If you love someone, you’ll forgive them.’

After reconciling, they welcomed their second child, but in 2016, Zoe and Norman announced they had ‘come to the end of our rainbow’ and decided to part ways for good.

Since their separation, the stars have remained close friends, with Zoe reportedly selling her Sussex mansion to move closer to him in Brighton just recently.

It comes after Zoe’s mother, Julia, died in April, 12 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

Then, the beloved broadcaster vanished from radio completely, with concern growing among fans as the reasons for her time off were unexplained.

Now, the Daily Mail has claimed that Zoe is spending more time with Norman.

One local friend in Hove, East Sussex, told the publication: ‘They always seem to be together.’

Another said that they have started going to their son Woody’s DJ gigs together, which Zoe didn’t do with her last boyfriend, Michael Reed.

Zoe and Michael dated the model for five years, but the relationship reportedly ‘ran its course’, while pals believed Zoe was ‘better off’ without him.

In contrast, over the summer, Zoe upped sticks from her £2million country abode to a Brighton townhouse, making co-parenting with Normal more seamless.

It’s believed the exes now get together for family occasions, but also for Sunday lunches with their kids.

Weeks ago, they were pictured at a café with a group of friends.

It came during Zoe’s unusual six-week hiatus from her popular radio show in August and September, which sources have claimed allowed her to deal with ‘grief, anxiety, and depression’.

While the host hasn’t gone into detail about the time she was away, her grown-up son has said he’s enjoying seeing her smiling again.

‘My mum and I like to keep our private lives to ourselves,’ Woody said.

‘But I will say I have spent a lot more time with her recently, as she has always been there for me in tough times. I’m glad to see her smiling.’

When she eventually returned to her breakfast show, Zoe was keen to make light of her time off.

Speaking to fans bright and early at 6:30am, the star said: ‘Morning, gorgeous people. It’s me, Zo, the happy wanderer. I’ve wandered back.

‘How was your Brat summer? Was it marvellous? We did that in the 90s; it was called something different then. Bringing back memories.’

The DJ thanked Scott Mills for covering for her, describing him as a ‘dear friend’.

She also joked that she hadn’t been to Turkey to have a ‘new face and teeth,’ but decided against going into detail about her absence.