Zoe Ball’s daughter ended up in hospital after her dad, DJ Fatboy Slim, accidentally dropped a Christmas tree on her foot. The BBC Radio 2 presenter, aged 54, reassured listeners that her 14-year-old daughter Nelly was okay, with only a swollen foot rather than a break, although the incident meant she missed the last day of school.
Zoe sent out a heartfelt message: “Sending love to my Nell today. It was supposed to be her last day of school today. But sadly, her dad [Fatboy Slim] unintentionally dropped a Christmas Tree on her foot and she had to go to A&E yesterday.
“She had an X-ray but it’s okay, it’s just swollen. She’s going to be alright, but she was supposed to go ice skating with her friends from school today but she won’t be able to get her foot in a boot. The things you don’t think are going to happen!”
Zoe also mentioned that Fatboy Slim, whose real name is Norman Cook, aged 61, was “very apologetic” about the mishap, saying: “He’s obviously very apologetic, poor love. This happens doesn’t it. Bless her! What a story to tell though, so I’m sending her lots of love this morning.”
The departure of Zoe from her Radio 2 show means she’ll have more time to spend with Nelly and her son Woody. Her decision to leave the show came as a surprise to fans following weeks of speculation about her future on the station.
The news arrived just a few months after her extended summer break from the show, which was due to the passing of Zoe’s mother earlier in the year. During her absence, radio veterans Scott Mills and Gabby Roslin stepped in for the beloved presenter, with Scott now set to take over the role permanently, reports the Mirror.
On air, Zoe shared her feelings about moving on after six years of early mornings but reassured listeners she would still be involved with Radio 2. She announced: “Ok you lovely bunch, I have some news. After six years of fun times alongside you all on the Breakfast Show, I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter.
“You know I think the world of you all listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you, to go through life’s little ups and downs, we got through the lockdown together, didn’t we?
“We’ve shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there’s been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats. I’m going to miss my amazing Prod Squad who I adore. Already missing Mike, I’m going to miss Tina and Richie. They’ve all become like family to me, like you lot. But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest. So my last Breakfast show will be with you on the 20th of December and then its high kicks all the way to Christmas, gang.”