Fatboy Slim's DJ decks were once crippled by the weight of his own addiction - but now, 15 years into sobriety, Norman Cook is back in the groove and ready to rock. The renowned producer made a raw and honest confession on Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne, revealing the paralysing fear that gripped him when he first contemplated spinning tracks sober after rehab.
It was an ultimatum from his then-wife Zoe Ball, a BBC Radio 1 DJ no less, that forced Cook to confront his drinking demons. 'I was protecting my own addiction', he confessed, describing the grip of booze as a 'parasite' that makes quitting almost impossible. But after a stint in rehab in 2009, Cook has been free from the shackles of substance abuse - and credits it with saving him.
Getting clean was no cakewalk for Fatboy Slim, who admitted it was 'probably the hardest thing I've ever done'. He needed intensive support to kick his habit, but it was worth it - and now, after almost a decade and a half of sobriety, Cook is back on top of the game. But it wasn't until he took to the decks in Japan that he finally found his footing again.
That 'excitable' crowd in Tokyo marked a turning point for Fatboy Slim - and one that reminded him why he started doing what he loves in the first place: to bring people joy. 'I forgot about me', Cook said with a grin, as he rediscovered the thrill of performing without the weight of his addiction.
And if you want to relive some of Fatboy Slim's greatest moments - or discover why Zoe Ball was so keen to get him sorted - tune in to Desert Island Discs on BBC Sounds and Radio 4. It's a wild ride, and one that shows Cook at the very top of his game.
The full episode is available now, featuring some of Fatboy Slim's biggest hits, including 'Praise You', 'The Rockafeller Skank' and 'Right Here, Right Now'. And who knows? Maybe you'll even find inspiration for your own journey to sobriety in Cook's remarkable story.
Norman Cook's musical legacy is long and storied - as a member of The Housemartins with Paul Heaton, or as a solo artist with six Grammy nominations under his belt (including that show-stopping 'Weapon Of Choice' music video starring Christopher Walken). But it's the next chapter in his story that's truly remarkable.