Fatboy Slim: We wanted to keep Woody out of limelight... but it’s in his genes

Star opens up about son’s showbiz debut

WHEN Woody Cook told his parents he wanted to be in reality show The Circle they tried to talk him out of it – but eventually they had to admit: “It’s in his genes.”

Norman Cook – better known as DJ Fatboy Slim – and broadcaster Zoe Ball had tried hard to keep their son out of the spotlight as he grew up.

So they were horrified when he said he was going on the Channel 4 show.

Norman, who also has daughter Nelly May Louise, 10, with Zoe, says: “We thought it could be a potentially terrible idea. We didn’t really want him to do it.

“We spent all our lives trying to keep him out of the limelight and trying to protect him. Then the first chance he dives straight into that whole maelstrom that we tried to protect him from. But I suppose it’s in his genes.”

However, he adds, laughing: “We would disown him if he does Love Island.”

Norman, who split with BBC Radio 2 host Zoe in 2016 after 17 years of marriage, said it was “surreal” watching Woody, 19, on the show where he finished fifth in the hunt for the £70,000 top prize. He said: “As a parent you want your child to be happy and come across well.

“We were nervous about it but he was really cool. The idea of the first time ever not seeing my son for a month was strange but then I watched him every night on the TV instead.”

Woody is now on holiday in New Zealand and hopes to catch up with his dad, 56, when he does a series of DJ gigs in Australia this week. Norman, who is headlining Hi-tide festival with Madness at Dreamland in Margate, Kent, in July, said he is also trying to offset his carbon when he flies Down Under as part of the fight against climate change. He says: “The fires in Australia have really woken people up to this. This isn’t some crackpot scientist telling you. This really is happening.”

He recently sampled a Greta Thunberg speech in one set. He says: “There were proper goosebumps. The whole crowd was united. I’m very proud to be carrying on the message.”

Tickets at hi-tidefestival.com at 9am on Friday, January 31.

You want your child to come across well. He was really cool NORMAN COOK ON SON WOODY IN THE CIRCLE

LIKE FATHER Son Woody has showbiz in the blood FAMILY Zoe Ball & Norman Cook with their son Woody FESTIVAL With Suggs of Madness COOL Woody in The Circle