Zoe Ball’s boyfriend Michael Reed SLAMMED by ex for ‘claiming benefits to afford child support’

Zoe Ball’s boyfriend Michael Reed is SLAMMED by his ex for ‘claiming benefits to afford £20k child support arrears’ while ‘living the high life’ with DJ girlfriend

Zoe Ball’s boyfriend Michael Reed has been slammed by his ex Lorraine Ashdown, who is the mother of his four-year-old daughter.

Lorraine, 46, has accused Michael, 50, of claiming benefits after being ordered to pay £20k in child support arrears. 

She told The Sun: ‘He’s such a ducker and a diver and a chancer, and I think he has done this on purpose to avoid paying.

Claims: Zoe Ball’s boyfriend Michael Reed has been slammed by his ex Lorraine Ashdown, who is the mother of his four-year-old daughter

‘I don’t know if Zoe is aware of this, but she should tell him to sort it out. It is a disgrace that he is living the high life with her while avoiding his responsibilities.’

Michael and Zoe split in 2019 but got back together this year. It’s thought they now live together. 

Michael is a former construction firm boss and, last month, was ordered to pay the child maintenance costs of  £19,290.94 to Lorraine, after allegedly under-estimating his earnings.

Lorraine cannot chase him for the money now that he is on benefits, according to the Child Maintenance Service.

Fuming: Lorraine, 46, has accused Michael, 50, of claiming benefits after being ordered to pay £20k in child support arrears, suggesting he is trying to dodge the payments

Fuming: Lorraine, 46, has accused Michael, 50, of claiming benefits after being ordered to pay £20k in child support arrears, suggesting he is trying to dodge the payments

Loved-up, Live-in: He is believed to have moved in with Radio 2 host Zoe, who lives in a £1.5m property in Sussex

Loved-up, Live-in: He is believed to have moved in with Radio 2 host Zoe, who lives in a £1.5m property in Sussex 

Lorraine and Michael – both from Kent – split up not long after they had their child.

Michael then moved to a four-bedroom home in Chislehurst, which he rented.

He is believed to have moved in with Radio 2 host Zoe, who lives in a £1.5m property in Sussex.

Back soon: Zoe will soon return to screens on Strictly: It Takes Two, alongside Rylan Clark-Neal

Back soon: Zoe will soon return to screens on Strictly: It Takes Two, alongside Rylan Clark-Neal

MailOnline has contacted Michael for comment but he told The Sun on Saturday that the claims are ‘incorrect’. 

Lorraine provided paperwork when speaking to the publication, seemingly backing up her claims.

Zoe will soon return to screens on Strictly: It Takes Two, alongside Rylan Clark-Neal.