BBC star Zoe Ball splits with ‘demanding’ model partner after five years as he moves out of sprawling home
RADIO and telly star Zoe Ball has split from her long-term lover.
Her five-and-a-half year relationship with model Michael Reed had “run its course”, pals said.
And he has recently moved out of the sprawling home they shared in East Sussex.
Zoe’s fresh heartache comes as she this week marked the sixth anniversary of the death of a previous boyfriend.
A source close to the star said: “Zoe is gutted but she’s better off without Michael.
“This is a relief to many of her friends, who think she has done the right thing.
“They were arguing over really silly things like Zoe spending time on the phone to her friends and it all got a bit too much for her.
“They had a wonderful romance at first and Michael was a real gent.
“But in recent months Zoe has started to find him a bit demanding.
“They then started spending a lot less time together, went away on separate holidays and drifted apart.
“Now it seems the relationship has finally run its course. She asked him to move out and he has done so, although they have remained on good terms.
“Hopefully, Zoe will move on and find the happiness she deserves.”
Fans of BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe, 52, noticed Michael, also 52, was no longer in her social media posts.
On Monday Zoe, this week unveiled as the new host of upcoming ITV show Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream, put pics online of her with dad Johnny Ball, 84.
Last month she was on holiday in Cyprus without Michael.
Our source added: “Zoe and Michael were inseparable but it has all gone sour recently.
“The fact he did not go on the Cyprus holiday with her spoke volumes. He was apparently due to go but plans changed at the last minute.
“Zoe did not want the negativity of a huge break-up and it has happened gradually, with him now agreeing to move out.
“She wishes him all the best for the future.”
Mum-of-two Zoe, married to DJ Norman “Fatboy Slim” Cook from 1999 to 2016, started dating former building company boss Michael in December 2017.
She was previously with TV cameraman Billy Yates, 40, who committed suicide in 2017.
And she marked Thursday’s anniversary of his death by posting online: “Six years Billy Wonder — missed madly by all who love you.”
Zoe, who quit Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two in 2021, joins ITV’s West End star search Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream later this year
She is also among the BBC Radio and BBC Sounds hosts for the Coronation coverage.
A spokeswoman for Zoe was approached for comment.