Sara Cox has officially signed off from her beloved BBC Radio 2 teatime programme after more than seven years, marking the end of an era with an emotional farewell and a celebratory dinner with her team.
The 51-year-old presenter shared the news with fans on Instagram on Friday after recording the final edition of her weekday show, before heading to London’s fashionable Devonshire Soho for a special meal with colleagues.
Posting a series of snaps from the evening, Sara toasted what she described as “seven and a half years of silliness” with a non-alcoholic Guinness and thanked listeners for supporting the programme.
She wrote: “7 and a half years of silliness all wrapped up with some Pato Banton and a booze free Guinness.”
Teasing the next chapter of her career, she added: “All Request Friday from 4pm today then that’s ya lot! Thank you for listening to teatime @bbcradio2 – the manking about & general daftness will continue soon on The Sara Cox Breakfast Show…. (Please come with me!).”
Sara’s departure from the 4pm to 7pm slot comes ahead of her highly anticipated move to Radio 2’s flagship Breakfast Show this summer.
When the announcement was made earlier this year, the broadcaster admitted she was overwhelmed by the opportunity.
She said: “There are not enough adjectives to really sum up how I’m feeling about being trusted with such an iconic show but let’s start with ecstatic, honoured and incredibly chuffed.”
Calling the role a lifelong ambition, Sara added: “It’s been a dream to host the Breakfast Show since I joined Radio 2 and it feels like a bit of a full circle for me.”
Reflecting on her time hosting Teatime, she praised listeners who had made the programme such a success.
“I’ve had the most glorious seven years of my career on Teatime so thank you to my brilliant Teatime listeners who hopefully will join me at Breakfast for excellent music and all my usual nonsense plus some superstar guests,” she said.
“I honestly can’t wait to wake the nation up with the biggest, most fun breakfast show ever.”
Speaking on-air following the announcement, Sara confessed she almost lost the power of speech when she was offered the role.
“It takes quite a lot to make me speechless, but when I got asked to host the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, I was momentarily lost for words,” she joked.
The radio star became emotional while looking back on her time in the teatime slot, describing it as the finest chapter of her three-decade broadcasting career.
“I wouldn’t swap the last seven years of Teatime because I’ve had an absolute blast,” she said.
“It has been the most golden seven years of my entire 30-year career, and I’ve learnt so much from you because you’re the most hilarious, brilliant listeners and I beg you – please come to Breakfast with me.”
As one chapter closes, Sara is preparing to wake up millions of listeners each morning, bringing the humour and energy that have made her one of Radio 2’s most popular personalities.
