Norman Cook reminisces about an unusual encounter he had with his ex-wife Zoe Ball while staying in a hotel room. During a recent episode of Alan Carr’s travel-themed podcast, Life’s a Beach, Norman, known as Fatboy Slim in the music industry, revealed an odd incident he and Zoe witnessed at a hotel in Dubai.
Alan probed the Praise You artist about his most memorable hotel experience, encouraging him to spill all the details, including any unique services like butler assistance or a specialized “pillow menu” found in luxury hotels.
Following his 18-year relationship with Zoe that ended in 2016, Norman was asked if he had ever encountered such a “menu.” This led him to share the peculiar discovery they made during their stay in Dubai.
Describing the incident, Norman mentioned, “No, I’ve had strange experiences where Zoe and I stayed in a hotel in Dubai, and we found our wedding photo displayed in a frame next to the bed.”
Responding to Norman’s revelation, Alan expressed surprise, emphasizing how bizarre the situation was.
Norman continued, “I believe they were trying to create a homely atmosphere for us, so they must have searched for our wedding photo online, printed it, and placed it in a frame by the bed. On another occasion, I woke up to find my name embroidered on a pillow, which really caught me off guard.”
Further elaborating on this unusual perk he encountered during his hotel visit, Norman narrated how he decided to inquire downstairs about the reason behind his name being embroidered on the pillow.
During the conversation, Norman, who shares children Woody and Nelly with Zoe, mentioned that the hotel staff explained they thought he would appreciate the gesture, despite his amusement at the effort they had put into it, assuring him they would keep it for his return.
Meanwhile, Zoe, who met Norman in Ibiza in 1998, recently discussed their post-breakup friendship on an episode of the Dig It podcast, co-hosted with Jo Whiley. She emphasized her desire to maintain an amicable relationship with Norman after their separation, highlighting the importance of prioritizing their children’s well-being over any personal differences.
Reflecting on her own parents’ divorce in the 1970s, Zoe expressed her reluctance towards divorce, emphasizing the need to handle the situation with Norman sensibly for the sake of their children.
She concluded, “When Norm and I decided to part ways, we made a conscious effort to remain friends. It wasn’t easy, but our primary focus has always been to ensure we do right by our kids and make this transition work for them.”