TV’s Sara Cox on life, workand health
TV and radio host Sara Cox on juggling work and family, her passion for horse-riding and how she feels about the ageing process
BUBBLY Sara Cox got her first break on Channel 4’s The Girlie Show in the 90s then rose to fame on The Big Breakfast.
She was also a big hit on radio, attracting 7.8 million listeners during her stint hosting Radio 1 Breakfast Show from 200O to 2003i.
Now, the 43-year-old mum of three presents Sounds of the 80s on Radio 2 and will soon move to hosting her own show four nights a week.
Sara’s also back on screen hosting BBC Two’s Back in Time for Tea and here she gives us an insight into her home life, work and hobbies.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT?
I think exercise is crucial for mental health because it ramps up the feel-good hormones. I run a couple of times a week, walk my dogs and go to really punishing gym classes.
Our garage is kitted out with a rowing machine, a TRX suspension training kit, and a yoga mat. I’ve been training for a rowing challenge for Sport Relief in a BBC team racing ITV. It’s been pretty gruelling.
My real passion is horses but it can be dangerous going very fast on a half-ton animal with a brain the size of a sprout.
In 2013, I came off a horse and broke my collar bones, chipped my femur and jarred my neck. As I fell and saw the ground whizzing up to meet my face, I thought, ‘What sort of state will I be in after this?’
I resolved then for the sake of my family to be more cautious. I get scared even now sometimes when I ride but I’d never give it up.
HOW DO YOU JUGGLE YOUR CAREER AND FAMILY LIFE?
It can be a bit manic. I’m wishing there were a couple of extra hours in the day because it’s super-busy.
I’m doing a lot of telly work – a new show Love in the Countryside which will be shown in May – and I cover for Chris Evans on his breakfast show. In May, I start my own weeknight show on Radio 2, from 10pm to midnight. I want it to have the liveliness, humour and music of a breakfast show.
For the first time in 14 years, I’ll get my weekends back. Until now, I’ve always worked Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights.
I have a great help – my husband’s fantastic, my in-laws are brilliant and I’ve got a part-time nanny.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT AGEING?
I don’t have any problem with being in my 40s. People are obsessed with asking women about it – but I don’t see them asking Ant and Dec or Dermot O’Leary, which is weird.
I’m in a really good place. My kids are a little more independent, my parents are in good health and my career’s going well.
As my mother-in-law told me: “Your 40s are a great time – before bits start to drop off or give in to gravity.”
WOULD YOU CONSIDER COSMETIC WORK OR BOTOX?
I think in 10 years time, there’s going to be such amazing advancements, and that’s when I’ll probably have a crack at something. I’m never going to say never.
WHAT COULDN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
I love dogs and we have two Maltese terriers, Beano and Dolly, and a kitten, Watson. Beano goes to work with me at Radio 2. The BBC had to do an assessment on him, because you can’t just take in an Irish Wolfhound or a Komodo dragon.
Imagine Tony Blackburn eaten by a huge lizard – that’s definitely not happening on my watch! ● Sara Cox has presbyopia and is a brand ambassador for 1-DAY ACUVUE Moist Multifocal Contact Lenses. Visit acuvue.co.uk.