Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim has admitted he's had a ''traumatic year'' following the collapse of his marriage to Zoe Ball.
The 53-year-old musician parted ways from the TV personality in September 2016 after spending 18 years together, and the DJ says he's using music as his ''escapism'' from his personal troubles.
''My music and shows have always been about escapism, for people to forget about what's wrong in their life," he told the Daily Star.
''I've done it for 30 years but, because my life was really happy, I was providing that escapism for the crowds. And now they're providing that escapism for me.
''Having hit a traumatic year, for those two hours when I'm on stage I forget all my worries and I feel like I can escape.''
Slim says his marriage breakdown forced him back into the studio as he feels it helps him to blow off steam.
''A lot of people have been telling me: 'You're on fire in your shows! The worse your personal life gets, the better your DJing gets.' It's because I'm letting off steam.
''I've made three new Fatboy Slim songs lately, and that's 300 percent more than I'd made in a few years.'
''Because of my marital situation, I have a lot more time on my hands. Practically, I see less of the kids than I used to, so I have more time to make music.
''A lot of the creative periods in people's life are during times of turmoil and heartache," he added.
The former couple, who have kids Woody, 17, and Nelly, seven, together, said they remained "great friends" in a statement posted on Twitter, adding they "will continue to support each other and raise our beautiful children together, living next door but one".
— Zoe Ball (@ZoeTheBall) September 24, 2016
