Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has shared an anecdote about confronting a childhood bully during a Radio 1 call-in, an event she described as a form of revenge. Cox recounted the experience to The Sunday Times, explaining that the former tormentor, unaware of the distress she had caused, called into the station requesting a shoutout.
"I was outraged that she thought she could do that like we were friends. Couldn't she remember?" Cox stated, recalling the enduring impact of the bullying. She described the feeling of dread and anxiety she experienced in school corridors, fearing physical altercations and enduring whispers. When the call-in request came, Cox responded, "Sure, I'll give you a shoutout." The shoutout began with the acknowledgment, "You were a big bully."
Cox, who grew up on a farm near Bolton and later moved to a flat above a pub in the town at age six after her parents' divorce, said she was bullied at different schools due to her "height and her knobbly knees." She found solace in reading Shakespeare during these difficult times. While she acknowledged that the bullying made school unpleasant, she noted it did not alter the course of her life.
In other news, Cox announced that her first BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show will debut on Monday, July 6. This follows the April announcement that she would take over the program, succeeding Scott Mills. Mills' departure came after allegations of serious sexual offenses against a teenage boy under 16.
Cox shared the news of her show's launch on Vernon Kay's Radio 2 show, participating in a quiz segment with fellow presenter Jeremy Vine. She also revealed that her first guest would be Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, who will discuss his new film, Toy Story 5.
"My big news is that... there's been quite a lot of mystery about when the brand new Sara Cox Breakfast Show begins on BBC Radio 2," Cox told Kay. "But I can now announce... please do join me for my very first Breakfast Show on Radio 2 on 6th of July. Three weeks today! Very very excited. It is 6.30am."
When asked by Jeremy Vine how many alarm clocks she would use, Cox humorously replied, "42." She expressed her excitement for the new role, with fellow Bolton-born presenter Vernon Kay sharing his support.
Cox also highlighted the significance of her first guest. "My very first guest on the Sara Cox Breakfast Show will be… Mr. Tom Hanks," she announced. Kay described Hanks as a "legend" and "the nicest man in showbusiness."
Cox concluded by expressing her anticipation for the show's premiere, telling fans to tune in on July 6 for what she hopes will be a show that listeners will enjoy with "a nice brew."