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Zoe Ball and Norman Cook separate after 18 years of marriage: 'We have come to the end of our rainbow.'

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Zoe Ball and Norman Cook have announced they are separating after 18 years of marriage.

The pair released a joint statement on Zoe's Twitter, revealing that they are "still great friends" following their sad decision.

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zoe ball3 © Photo: Getty Images

Zoe and Norman have announced their decision to split

"With great sadness we are announcing that we have separated," the statement read.

"After many exciting adventures together over the last 18 years we have come to the end of our rainbow. We are still great friends and will continue to support each other and raise our beautiful children together, living next door but one. X Zoe & Norm."  

Fans of the couple were quick to offer their sympathy and advice, with one replying: "So sorry to hear this, but wish you both well for the future."

"There will be many more exciting adventures ahead too," another added.

zoe ball1 © Photo: Getty Images

The pair share two children

The pair, who share 16-year-old son Woody and six-year-old daughter Nelly together, briefly split back in 2003 after the presenter had a brief romance with DJ Dan Peppe, then reconciled. Norman – also known by his stage name Fatboy Slim – opened up about that time in their marriage, saying: "I still love her. If you love someone you'll forgive them. I've spoken to her today and she is genuinely remorseful."

The 45-year-old has previously opened up about her parents' own split, telling the Express: "Both my parents have remarried and so we've got a big modern family. They’re all wise and funny, if a bit daft, but very clever and loving.”

"You can't be the perfect parent. You're learning from them like they're learning from you and the way you learned from your mum and dad and sometimes you get it wrong. Although, to be honest, I think all you need is love. If you show unconditional love and keep talking things through, you can't really go wrong."

The pair began dating while Zoe worked at BBC Radio 1, and married at the Babington House in Somerset back in 1999.