BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has spoken candidly about the guilt she feels as a working mother, revealing she often tells her children she is 'sorry' for not being there more often.
The Bolton-born broadcaster, who recently completed a monumental 135-mile charity trek for Children in Need, opened up about the constant struggle to balance a demanding career with family life, admitting she hopes her children won't need therapy in the future because of an 'absent mother'.
The Emotional Toll of Motherhood and Career
In a heartfelt interview with The Times Magazine, Sara discussed the fears she faced when going on maternity leave. She described the period as 'unsettling', filled with uncertainty about what her broadcasting career would look like upon her return.
'When you first go on maternity leave, it's unsettling,' Sara confessed. 'You wonder what your career will be like afterwards. Luckily, when I had my two younger children I was with my husband, Ben, and had a great support system.'
The Radio 2 drivetime host is a mother to three children: a daughter, Lola Anne, from her previous marriage to DJ Jon Carter, and a son and daughter, Isaac and Renee, with her current husband, advertising executive Ben Cyzer.
Despite having a strong support network, Sara revealed the lingering sense of stepping back professionally is a constant challenge. 'I was able to get back to work, but you always feel like you have taken a couple of steps back,' she shared.
This professional pressure translates directly into personal guilt. 'I often say to the kids I am sorry I am not there, I am sorry I missed that,' she said, though she takes comfort in the fact that her children understand what she does for a living.
A Gruelling Five-Day Charity Triumph
This intimate revelation comes fresh from the heels of her incredible physical achievement for charity. In November, Sara undertook an epic five-day, 135-mile marathon challenge, the equivalent of running five marathons, for Children in Need.
The arduous journey began in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, on November 10th and saw her trek across four counties, finally concluding in Pudsey, West Yorkshire, on November 14th.
Her extraordinary effort captured the public's imagination and generosity, raising an astonishing sum of more than £11 million for the charity as of November 24th. This challenge marked the longest-ever undertaken by a Radio 2 presenter.
Reflecting on the physically demanding feat in a conversation with Scott Mills on Radio 2, Sara admitted it was the 'hardest thing' she had ever done.
'I've never known pain quite like it,' she stated. However, she was quick to highlight the overwhelming support she received from the public, particularly from women and local communities along the route, which gave her the strength to continue.
From Modelling to a Broadcasting Powerhouse
Before becoming a household name on the airwaves, Sara Cox first ventured into a career in modelling. She later transitioned to broadcasting, with early presenting roles on popular shows like Channel 4's The Girlie Show, MTV, and The Big Breakfast.
Her candid discussion about the realities of being a working parent in the public eye sheds light on the universal challenges faced by many, proving that even celebrated broadcasters are not immune to the pressures of juggling professional ambition with family responsibilities.
