Fatboy Slim reveals break down in marriage to Zoe Ball 'helped make more music'
DJ FATBOY SLIM has revealed that his divorce with Zoe Ball and subsequent broken heart has had a positive effect on his career.
Fatboy Slim win Dance Act presented by Sharleen Spiteri and Boy George - BRIT Awards 1999
The star, whose real name is Norman Cook, said he ended up back in the studio to get over his "heartache", when his relationship with BBC Radio 2 presenter Ball broke down after 17 years of marriage.
The pair separated in September last year, and suffered further trauma when Ball's next partner, TV cameraman Billy Yates, committed suicide in May at the age of 40.
The superstar opened up to the Daily Star, when he said: "Because of my marital situation, I have a lot more time on my hands.
"Practically, I see less of the kids than I used to, so I have more time to make music.
Fatboy Slim has spoken out on how he's coped with the split from his wife
The pair were together for 17 years before splitting up
The radio presenter announced the split on her Twitter in September
I see less of the kids than I used to, so I have more time to make music
Cook has two children with his presenter wife - Woody, 16, and Nelly, seven - and after the pair split up Ball announced the news on her Twitter account, sharing it was "with great sadness" that they had to separate.
The DJ explained that while the situation was tough, the results have been bittersweet, saying: "A lot of the creative periods in people's lives are during times of turmoil and heartache."
Ball, 46, recently celebrated being one year sober amid a distressing few months.
Sharing the notification with her 79,000 Instagram followers, she wrote: “Love & thanks to my gorgeous family & brilliant friends & some very special ones who have helped me this year @billwahweewoo.”
Fatboy Slim has been back in the studio producing music
Zoe Ball pays tribute to boyfriend Billy Yates on Radio 2 return
The star even tagged her late partner in the post, nearly two months after his body was found at his London flat.
But fans of the radio personality were incredibly supportive, and wished her congratulations for reaching the important milestone.
Sources had previously said that it was Ball who mainly contributed to the breakdown of her and Cook's marriage, as she was in a "self-destruct mode" at the time.