Zoe Ball opens up about 'guilt' as she makes heartbreaking family life admission

BBC presenter Zoe Ball has revealed she struggled with "mum guilt" as she exposed the challenges of balancing family life whilst managing a demanding and thriving career.

During an episode of her Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, a listener had contacted the show to discuss her own battle with "mum guilt".

Zoe confessed that she had experienced comparable feelings during her initial years as a mother following the birth of her son, Woody.

She brought him into the world in 2000 with former husband Norman Cook, better known as the DJ Fatboy Slim, when her professional life was at its peak.

The broadcaster had already featured on The Big Breakfast and Top of the Pops by that point whilst her then-husband was busy DJing at top venus across the globe.

Zoe described how they frequently depended on the assistance of "amazing women" to care for their children, including daughter Nelly who arrived in 2010. She said: "I had a lot of guilt because there was always amazing women who helped with my kids whilst I was working, and their dad toured and was away a lot."

The radio and television personality revealed that the "guilt" began to emerge as she became concerned her children were spending "too much time" with someone other than their parents.

She discussed the hardships, saying: "There are so many different struggles and I get there's mum guilt, there's dad guilt, but most families, you know, someone has to work."

Zoe departed from her lengthy presenting role on BBC Radio 2 last November, explaining that the choice came from her wish to "focus on her family".

This occurred merely months following the tragic death of her mother, Julia, who lost her battle with cancer.

Zoe and Norman initially crossed paths in 1998 during the presenter's BBC Radio 1 journey to Ibiza. Twelve months later, the pair were exchanging vows as they married in Somerset.

The following year saw Zoe welcome their first child, Woody, before they subsequently had their daughter, Nelly, a decade afterwards.

Nevertheless, Zoe and Norman concluded their marriage in 2016 following 17 years together.

The duo appear to maintain an amicable relationship, with Zoe referring to Norman as "a good friend" during a 2020 interview.

She is scheduled to maintain her hectic professional commitments tonight (Saturday, September 6). She makes her return to television screens competing in the beloved ITV quiz programme You Bet! alongside Rob Beckett and Eddie Kadi at 8.15 pm.

You can also watch Zoe Ball when she joins Scott Mills to present Radio 2 in the Park at 9.10 pm on BBC Two.