Zoe Ball has admitted she is 'bereft' following the departure of a close family friend who has cared for her daughter for years. The BBC Radio 2 presenter, 52, shared the news on the Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, revealing that Adele has moved on to 'pastures new' after helping raise her daughter Nelly.
Ball explained that Adele's help allowed her and her ex-husband Norman Cook, also known as Fatboy Slim, to work. 'She's looked after all of us, to be honest with you, and she's leaving because Nel is obviously now going to be finishing her GCSEs.' The family treated Adele to a spa day at South Lodge to show their appreciation.
The transition comes as Nelly, 16, has decided to move in with her father. Ball said her household has become much quieter, noting that Nelly is now based more at her dad's home, which is just around the corner. 'All of her revision notes are on the wall at her dad's... she's just spending more time there now.'
Ball shares Nelly and son Woody, 25, with Cook, whom she divorced in 2016 but remains on good terms with. She now lives with her partner Mat Weekes, whom she affectionately calls 'the lodger'. The couple were first publicly seen together in January, though they are believed to have been dating for longer.
A source said Ball 'still believes in love' and that Weekes has been a source of strength for her during a turbulent period. Ball reflected on her 'two wing women' Emma and Adele, stating she 'couldn't do life without them.'
