Staff at BBC Radio 2 have expressed feeling "uncomfortable" and "on edge" due to host Sara Cox's on-air practice of identifying and naming individuals responsible for on-air mistakes. Insiders suggest this approach creates a tense working environment, differing from the styles of previous hosts.
Sources close to the show indicated that many studio managers and technicians are reluctant to work on Cox's program. "Everybody is on edge because she keeps pulling people up when there is a mistake that goes out on air and then throwing them under the bus, it's unfair and not part of the team spirit," one source told the Mail.
An audio recording from August reportedly captured Cox singling out a producer named Anthony during a live broadcast. While speaking with travel presenter Ellie Brennan, Cox addressed issues with microphone levels, stating, "Who's been messing with the mic? Why do you sound so weird?" She then called out to the control room, "That's your cue Anthony, to come in! It's not a spectator sport this love, you know, you can come and get it." Cox sarcastically added, "Now if you were at the handover with Vernon that went perfectly last week, you'll know the name Anthony because that came up."
Despite Cox punctuating the exchange with laughter, insiders reported that the team felt "very uncomfortable." A source commented, "Staff felt like she could have gone on and owned it a bit and had a joke, but she had to make a point it wasn't her." This was contrasted with the approaches of former hosts Zoe Ball and Scott Mills, who were described as having previously joked off their own errors or taken responsibility rather than blaming others.
Cox took over the coveted BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show in July, succeeding Scott Mills. Mills departed the flagship show in April after 14 months amid historical allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied and for which he is pursuing legal action against the BBC for unfair dismissal. The Mail noted that the timing of Cox's takeover, following Mills' "unsavoury dismissal," and her song choices at her launch—including Lizzo's "It's About Damn Time" and CeCe Peniston's "Finally"—reportedly "upset" employees who felt they were insensitive. Staff are also said to be still affected by the lack of information regarding Mills' departure and his absence from the station.
Cox, who has been with the BBC for 26 years and hosted the Drivetime slot for seven, was considered a safe choice for the Breakfast Show. She previously worked on BBC Radio 1's Breakfast Show in 1999 before joining Radio 2 in 2011. It is an open secret at the station that Cox had long desired the Breakfast Show seat, having been passed over twice previously, first for Zoe Ball and then for Scott Mills. When Ball was given the slot, Cox reportedly played Shaggy's song "It Wasn't Me" on her show.
A BBC spokesperson defended Cox's style, stating, "Live radio is at its best when it feels spontaneous and real, and this was simply a lighthearted, on-air moment between colleagues. Sara's warm, lively presenting style and great relationship with the breakfast team are genuine - and that authentic chemistry is exactly what our millions of listeners tune in for every weekday morning."