Sara Cox's Radio 2 team defends working relationship amid on-air criticism

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 29 Oct, 03:21 · Archive

Staff at Sara Cox's BBC Radio 2 breakfast show have disputed claims that her on-air criticism of mistakes creates an uncomfortable environment.

Sara Cox took over the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in July, replacing Scott Mills who was sacked in March following the emergence of historical allegations of serious sexual assault. Initial reports suggested the change had gone smoothly, with the breakfast show continuing to draw large audiences.

Last week, the Daily Mail reported that production staff on Cox's show had been made uncomfortable by her habit of publicly calling out on-air mistakes and sometimes naming the team member responsible. The reports cited recordings from archived episodes in which Cox criticised a guest being on the wrong microphone and called out a producer by name for not fixing the set-up quickly enough.

Cox responded by praising her team in an interview with The Sun, describing them as 'an incredible team, a brilliant bunch of people like me who are massive radio geeks'. She said the reaction to her appointment had been great and that she had the best job in the world.

Radio 2 staff have since pushed back against the suggestion that the working environment is problematic. A source told the Daily Mail that staff's concerns have been 'undermined', noting that employees would naturally be on best behaviour when guests are present and would not openly complain to Cox about working conditions. Listening figures for July to September show the breakfast show attracted an average of 6.44 million weekly listeners, up slightly from 6.37 million in the previous quarter.

How it is being reported

• BBC staffers hit back at claims Radio 2 is a 'very happy ship' and say they feel 'undermined'Radio 2 staff have hit back at claims the station is 'a very happy ship' amid revelations its Breakfast Show host, Sara Cox, left staff feeling 'uncomfortable' and 'on edge'.Daily Mail · 29 Oct, 00:50
• BBC Radio 2 viewing figures revealed after Sara Cox took over from Scott Mills amid claims she left staff 'uncomfortable' over her 'naming and shaming' mistakes live on-airAfter unceremoniously sacking Scott Mills from the Radio 2 Breakfast slot earlier this year, BBC bosses were left scrambling to find a replacement.Daily Mail · 29 Oct, 00:25
• Sara Cox holds on to Radio 2 breakfast listenersRadio 2 remains the most listened-to station in the UK.Evening Standard · 29 Oct, 00:01
• Sara Cox praises 'incredible' Radio 2 team following reports of tension over on-air 'naming and shaming'The presenter seemed to dampen reports her team had been ‘uncomfortable’ at her on-air habitEvening Standard · 28 Oct, 13:45

In this story: Sara Cox · Scott Mills · BBC Radio 2 · Daily Mail · The Sun · Metropolitan Police

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log