Zoe Ball and Fatboy Slim announce split after 18 years of marriage

90s music fans are more saddened about the breakup than the demise of 'Brangelina'

Nevertheless, they said they would remain 'great friends' and will continue to co-parent their two children (Getty Images)

To the delight of some and the infuriation of others - the divorce of 'Brangelina' has dominated headlines with every dramatic twist and turn reported upon.

But Hollywood’s golden couple are not the only one to run into marital problems, TV presenter Zoe Ball and DJ Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, have announced they are divorcing after 18 years of marriage. The news those who came of age in the 90s hardest, with fans saying they care far more about this news than Angelina Jolie's recent decision to file for divorce from Brad Pitt.

Announcing the news in a statement posted on both of their Twitter accounts, Ball and Cook said it was “great sadness” that they were marking the end of their "rainbow”.

Nevertheless, they said they would remain “great friends” and will continue to co-parent their two children, Woody Fred, who is 15, and their daughter, Nelly May Lois who is six.

“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 and Norm”.

“This is Brangelina-level devastation for anyone who was an adult in the '90s tbh,” tweeted one saddened fan. “RIP the people's Brangelina," said another.

"Sad times that one of my fave 90s couples have split,” added one more.

The couple, who now live in East Sussex, married in August 1999 at Babington House, a Georgian manor house in Somerset which has hosted many celebrity weddings.

This is not the first trouble the couple has found themselves in. They split up in 2003 when Ball revealed she had an affair with close friend of Cook and fellow DJ Dan Peppe but made amends a few months later.

Ball, 45, is a TV and radio personality best known as a former BBC Radio 1 breakfast show host and the current Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two host.

Cook, 53, rose to fame in the 80s for playing in Indie rock band Housemartins and later enjoyed passive success under his pseudonym Fatboy Slim with songs such as Praise You; Right Here, Right Now; and Weapon of Choice.