Zoe Ball’s dad has said his daughter’s split with DJ Norman Cook – also known as Fatboy Slim – was amicable.

Earlier this month the couple announced their separation after 18 years together, adding they remain “great friends” and will continue to raise their two children together.

Zoe’s father, Johnny Ball, told the Daily Mirror: “There is no animosity between the two of them. No. It isn’t that way. She is doing all right.

“You worry the kids might be disturbed by it but in the long run it will be fine.”

Johnny Ball
(Andrew Matthews/PA)

He also denied reports that the pair split over Zoe’s love of partying.

“She loves partying, she loves a drink and an occasional night out. But she’s not doing it on a regular basis. She works hard,” Johnny said.

Last week Zoe and Norman, who wed in 1999, both posted a statement on their Twitter accounts saying: “With great sadness we are announcing that we have separated.

“After many exciting adventures together over the last 18 years we have come to the end of our rainbow.”

Zoe Ball and Norman Cook
(Andrew Matthews/PA)

The couple had endured a number of rocky patches in their relationship.

They split for a few months in 2003 after Zoe had an affair with DJ Dan Peppe, and she was pictured in December having a drunken kiss with 22-year-old Tay Tay Starzh of boyband Franklin Lake.

But the 45-year-old insisted she and Norman had laughed off the slip-up, saying: “He has always said he wants his gravestone to read ‘Norman was a very patient man’. And that sums it up really!”