logo
Fatboy Slim and Zoe Ball's DJ son Woody Cook, 24, insists he's 'sweated his way through the industry' as he opens up on 'nepo baby' discourse

Fatboy Slim and Zoe Ball's DJ son Woody Cook, 24, insists he's 'sweated his way through the industry' as he opens up on 'nepo baby' discourse

Daily Mail​07-05-2025

Fatboy Slim and Zoe Ball 's son has insisted he has 'sweated his way through the industry'.
Woody Cook, 24, has said that while he has followed in his famous parents' footsteps and become a DJ, he still put in the work rather than relying on his parents too much.
He told new! magazine: 'I definitely felt that way [pressure] at the beginning, but my parents have been really good at putting me out on my own and letting me do it myself.
'I've sweated my way through the industry, I think people started to see that.'
Although the ' nepo baby ' name tag has been thrown around, Woody argued it doesn't bother him, and credited his parents' support for his success rather than their jobs.
He explained: 'I don't mind. I can't tell you who I'd be without my parents. They gave me the best education ever from them.
'They are the most generous, loving, kind, hard-working people on earth, and that's what they've given me. I feel like I owe it all to that.'
Woody previously pointed out it's 'not his job to care' what people think about him or his family ties.
He told Bang Showbiz: 'Throughout school I was bullied and stuff, sometimes at parties people would say 'Shut up Fatboy's son'.
'It's opened up more doors, people always remember me.
'I'm quite eclectic, I'm quite weird. I share DNA with my parents. I'm always gonna be a bit like them in the end.
'Genetically I'm mildly similar but it's not my job to care.
'I cater to the people who love my music, they f****** love it. My music speaks for itself and I do not have to prove it to anyone.'
His comments come after Zoe returned to 'where it all began' on BBC Radio 2 as her listeners gushed over her new debut on Saturday.
The radio presenter, 54, has returned to the station with her new Saturday afternoon show which saw the star play some of her favourite music and reconnecting with listeners.
Starting off her new segment she announced: 'Hello it's me, oh it's lovely to be back on a Saturday.
'This is where it all began for me back when I used to sweep up and make the teas.'
Happy to see the star's return, a viewer wrote: 'Great to have you back, Saturday afternoon is much better than having to wake up early'
After proceeding to read out some other well wishes she then added: 'It is lovely to be here thanks for all your messages'.
Zoe stepped down from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in December to 'focus on her family', bidding farewell to her £950,000 salary.
Her departure came after an extended break earlier in the year when her mother Julia died from cancer, and she is now enjoying some time off with her family before returning in May with a new project.
In February, Radio 2 officially announced programme changes, including a new weekly show with Zoe (1-3pm).
She will also be hosting two specials, including a BBC TV show celebrating Elaine Paige's 60-year career in showbusiness.
Earlier this year Woody told how his parents have been 'gardening', 'doing puzzles' and working in a local café since she quit her six-figure radio job.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, he gave an insight into how she has been spending her time since quitting her job, focusing on 'gardening' and 'doing puzzles'.
He admitted it has been 'funny' watching his 'crazy party' parents Zoe and Norman Cook, also known as Fatboy Slim, ditching wild nights out for more calm hobbies.
'In the last five years, it's been funny watching my parents take up gardening both of them,' Woody - who was promoting his Specsavers partnership - shared.
'These crazy party people I grew up with are now gardening, making puzzles and working in the local café.
'It's very funny to see that transitional period, just as I'm kind of leaving the nest and now at the start of something big for me in music.'
Fatboy Slim has owned the Big Beach Cafe in Hove, East Sussex since 2013.
Zoe and Norman were known for their hard-partying ways back in the 2000s and have both since spoken about their battles with alcohol.
They tied the knot in 1999 and welcomed their son Woody and a daughter Nelly, 15, together before they split up in 2016, though they remain very close friends.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

ANDREW PIERCE: Celebrate Mrs T! Just what would grumpy Ted say?
ANDREW PIERCE: Celebrate Mrs T! Just what would grumpy Ted say?

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

ANDREW PIERCE: Celebrate Mrs T! Just what would grumpy Ted say?

The feud between Ted Heath and Margaret Thatcher, who ousted him as Tory leader, was one of the most long-running and rancorous in politics. So what a nice surprise to learn that the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation, set up to promote his memory, is to honour the Iron Lady. Next month they will mark the centenary of her birth with a tribute at the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs, the genteel seaside resort in Kent where Heath was born in 1925. There will be a discussion chaired by Iain Dale, who has written a new biography of her. The panel on July 20 includes John Redwood, who ran Mrs T's Downing Street policy unit, Virginia Bottomley, who served in her government, and veteran MP Roger Gale, who – as a former TV producer – advised the Iron Lady on how to conduct herself when parliament was televised in 1989. Steve Nallon, the voice of Maggie for Spitting Image, will also be on the panel. Michael MacManus, who worked for Heath and Thatcher, said: 'I don't think my fellow trustees ever expected to stage an event celebrating Mrs T, but I think it's a great departure.' Truss could make a dram out of a crisis Much mockery of 49-day PM Liz Truss after she promoted an Irish whiskey brand alongside bare-knuckle fighter Dougie Joyce, once jailed for punching a pensioner. Sir Roderic Lyne, our former ambassador to Russia, suggests Truss might follow the example of Alec Douglas-Home after his 14 months in No 10: 'Perhaps she could take up salmon fishing like Douglas-Home. It goes down very well with a wee dram.' What a bunch of heels Labour MPs were cock-a-hoop after Prime Minister's Questions last week amid suggestions they had discovered Kemi Badenoch's 'Achilles heel'. They claimed they could see the Tory leader had forgotten to remove a 'bargain sale' label from the sole of one her shoes. Quipped one Labourite: 'She must know she's on the way out and will soon lose that nice extra salary as Opposition leader. She's already cutting back on essentials!' But is this yet another Labour dirty trick? The Tory leader's office certainly thinks so. The footwear was from M&S, said a source. And there was no such 'bargain' tag upon them. Flushed with Labour's surprise success in last week's Scottish Parliament by-election, party insiders know who to thank for victory over the SNP. 'Virtually every Labour MP came up to campaign in Hamilton. The only one who didn't was Keir Starmer – so it definitely was Keir 'wot won it',' sniped one. Labour historians noted that the Govan shipyard, where Starmer outlined his defence strategy last week, was earmarked for closure by the Heath Tory government in 1971. It was saved after a 'work-in' organised by Communist union leaders Jimmy Airlie and Jimmy Reid. Lefty Labour MPs grumble that the massive expansion in defence spending, which will benefit the Govan yard, will be paid for by trimming benefits – the sort of cuts those Communist diehards would have fought to resist. Labour MP Markus Campbell-Savours may now sport a Trotskyite beard, but he wants reform of the House of Lords to be delayed. Young Markus should perhaps have declared a family interest. His father Dale, a former Labour MP, is now a life peer. The status quo suits the Campbell-Savours family just fine. Meanwhile, peers are feathering their nests. Last week they increased their hotel expenses allowance from £103 to £125 a night. That's well above the rate of inflation.

Nick Frost reveals he's been targeted by trans activists as he prepares to work with JK Rowling after accepting role of Hagrid in HBO's Harry Potter series
Nick Frost reveals he's been targeted by trans activists as he prepares to work with JK Rowling after accepting role of Hagrid in HBO's Harry Potter series

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Nick Frost reveals he's been targeted by trans activists as he prepares to work with JK Rowling after accepting role of Hagrid in HBO's Harry Potter series

Nick Frost has revealed he has been targeted by trans activists after accepting the role of Hagrid in the new HBO Harry Potter series. The actor, 53, will star as the legendary Hogwarts groundskeeper in the much-anticipated show, which is set to begin filming this summer. However after sharing the exciting announcement on Instagram, Nick revealed he was forced to turn off the comments on the post due to being swamped with criticism for collaborating with JK Rowling. The famous author, who is also serving as an executive producer of the new series, has become a vocal presence in the transgender debate. Distancing himself from Rowling's trans views, Nick told the Observer: 'She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine. They just don't align in any way, shape of form.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Rowling has been vocal on the subject of trans people for several years; in 2018, a spokesperson explained that her 'like' of a tweet calling trans women 'men in dresses' had been a 'middle-aged moment'. And following the Supreme Court judgement on April 17, Rowling has consistently referred to transgender women as being 'men'. Despite turning off interaction with fans, the publication asked Nick if he believes the debate may overshadow the new series. He added: ' I don't know but maybe it shouldn't blow over? We shouldn't just hope it will go away because if makes it easier maybe we should educate ourselves.' In his announcement post, the actor posed with a classic copy of the first book in JK Rowling's series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. He is set to play the role that was made famous by veteran actor Robbie Coltrane in the original film series, before his death in 2022. Nick captioned his post: 'You're a wizard, Harry!!! 'Thank you for trusting me with such a loyal, gentle and courageous half-giant like Rubeus Hagrid. Robbie, I promise I won't let you down.' Elsewhere, critics of the Harry Potter author criticised her role as an executive producer on the show because of her views on transgender issues. HBO chiefs later defended her role, saying Rowling had a 'right to express her personal views'. In a move that's sent shockwaves of excitement across the fandom, Hollywood heavyweight John Lithgow has been announced as the new Albus Dumbledore. Janet McTeer, known for her powerhouse performances on stage and screen, will step into the sharp heels of Professor McGonagall, while rising star Paapa Essiedu takes on the darker, more complicated role of Severus Snape – a part made famous by the late Alan Rickman. The casting, which was officially announced earlier this month, forms part of HBO's hotly anticipated reboot of J.K. Rowling 's seven-book series – a full-scale, decade-long adaptation that promises to stick far more closely to the original storylines than the blockbuster films. Fans say this could be the most exciting reboot yet, with many calling the casting 'perfectly magical' and praising the diverse, inclusive approach taken by producers. Showrunner and executive producer Francesca Gardiner said: 'We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell and Filch.' Executive producer and director Mark Mylod added: 'We're delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can't wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.' The new series is aims to 'lead a new generation of fandom' and hopes to recapture the beloved details Harry Potter fans have enjoyed for 25 years. It will be executive produced by Harry Potter author JK Rowling, Ruth Kenley-Letts, Neil Blair and David Heyman. Back in 2023, the Mail's Alison Boshoff revealed how Rowling would personally approve all of the key castings in the forthcoming series. The author previously said: 'Max's commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me. 'And I'm looking forward to being part of this new adaptation, which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series.'

EXCLUSIVE Inside the battle to save Strictly: Revolting slur that's caused 'terrible fear' over contestants' behaviour exposed by KATIE HIND - as insiders leak list of who bosses are desperate to sign up
EXCLUSIVE Inside the battle to save Strictly: Revolting slur that's caused 'terrible fear' over contestants' behaviour exposed by KATIE HIND - as insiders leak list of who bosses are desperate to sign up

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

EXCLUSIVE Inside the battle to save Strictly: Revolting slur that's caused 'terrible fear' over contestants' behaviour exposed by KATIE HIND - as insiders leak list of who bosses are desperate to sign up

Some truly frantic meetings are taking place right now at Broadcasting House, the BBC 's famous London headquarters near Regent Street. With just weeks to go to complete the celebrity line-up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing, the show's bosses are in agonies as they try to work out who to hire.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store