Fatboy Slim and Brighton and Hove have come a long way together since a bright-eyed British Studies student first arrived on the south coast in 1982.

Over the next 30 years, Norman Cook became a multi-award winning, chart-topping, globe-trotting DJ with all the trappings of fame and riches that come with being a world leader in his field.

After such a star-studded career, landmarks and significant anniversaries come thick and fast.

On Thursday, a 20th anniversary box set celebrating Norman’s career on Brighton-based Skint Records is released.

This year also marks 30 years since Norm’s first brush with fame when he joined The Housemartins and 25 years since the founding of the Big Beat label Loaded while next year will mark 20 years of Fatboy Slim.

His career has taken him all over the globe and seen him perform in the House of Commons, an igloo and Copacabana beach but Brighton and Hove has remained the home where his heart is throughout.

Norm has become an “ambassador” for the city, an easily accessible and down-to-earth superstar who is prepared to invest back into his home city and support local causes big and small.

Last month a new pirate ship for youngsters to play on appeared in Hove Lagoon thanks to a £20,000 investment from the DJ as a way of, in Norm’s own words, “giving something back to the community”.

The gesture was certainly appreciated by a council which no longer has plenty of spare cash to invest in playground equipment.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of the environment, transport and sustainability committee, said at the time: “This sounds amazing fun and I’m sure lots of small pirates will love it.

“Huge thanks to Noman Cook for providing such an exciting play opportunity.”

While living down a private road on Hove seafront, Norman and Zoe certainly don’t hide away in a gated community that is the preference of many celebrities.

As well as regularly being spotted around the city trying to live as normal everyday life as their fame allows, the family spends a lot of time relaxing at the Big Beach Cafe which he took over from fellow celeb Heat her Mills who had run it as vegetarian fast food restaurant V-Bites.

Norman and Zoe are also patrons of Paddle Round The Pier while Norm is a regular participant in the Big Balls fun run around Hove Lagoon which raises money for testicular, penile and prostate cancer research. Dave Samuel, who organises both events, said that the ten years of support from the pair began with a simple letter he sent them asking for their support. He said: “Norm is very generous with his time “He is an unofficial ambassador for the city.

“We’ve had lots of celebrities who have lived here but none have embraced the city like he has with his connection with Albion, with the Big Beach cafe and with the pirate ship.

“He’s just a good all round bloke and if he’s got the time to give, he will give it to you.”

Big Balls is not the only charitable concern that receives the support and backing of the Cooks.

Last year, Norm contributed £5,000 towards the Brighton Open Air Theatre to allow the final wish of writer and producer Adrian Bunting, who died of cancer aged 47 in May 2013, come true.

Another good cause to benefit from Norm’s generosity has been small charity Coaching For Hope since he was introduced to their work by Albion life president Dick Knight in 2006.

Norm has played fundraising sets for the charity, held champagne receptions, offered himself up as a raffle prize and even sold a piece of art created by his fair hand.

The charity’s director Jane Carter said: “Norman has been a brilliant patron of our charity as not only has he been out to Africa twice to see for himself the work that we do.

“He has really put in the legwork in the UK helping us raise funds through benefit gigs, running the Brighton Marathon, collecting hundreds of trainers to be sent out to Africa and providing auction prizes for our fund-raising events.

“We couldn’t wish for a more dedicated patron.”

One of the key anchors that has cemented Norm and the city’s love affair has been the enduring support and affection for the Albion.

The romance was born out of despair with Norm going to his first Albion game in the mid-80s as an antidote to being “dumped by his wife”.

He has been a leading figure through the club’s dark times, being a prominent public figure at the forefront of the supporter campaign to get the Government to give the club a new home. Ahead of the 2001/02 season Norm put his money where his heart was and put in “significant money” to avoid the necessity of selling star striker and fans’ favourite Bobby Zamora.

Norm is still a regular attendee at the American Express Community Stadium although the need for him to dip into his own pocket has certainly diminished since the arrival of Tony Bloom to the club.

And Albion is not the only city institution that Norm has stepped in to save .

When Brighton Pride was wobbling amid financial uncertainty in 2012, the DJ answered a last minute call to perform for free and boost flagging ticket sales.

This year he made a triumphant return to the city’s biggest festival, again waiving his fee to be one of the main drawers of the weekend.

Norm frequently talks about his love of the city and how it is unlike any other in the country and the city has reciprocated that with the accolades it has bestowed upon him.

He has been inducted into the Brighton Music Walk Of Fame, has had a Brighton and Hove bus named after him and earlier this year received an alumnus award from the University of Brighton for his contribution to the music industry and support of the university On receiving the award, Norm summed up why his love for the city had endured for more than three decades.

He said: “I am proud with a capital ‘P’ to be receiving this award.

“I moved to Brighton to study for a degree 33 years ago and the city has been my home ever since.

“My degree is what got me where I am today.

“I have never actually used those letters after my name but the process of earning them got me where I am.

“I am immensely proud of my degree, proud of this fine city and immensely proud to be stood here 30 years on, receiving this wonderful award.”