Sara Cox’s hunt for love in the countryside

SARA COX was one of the original “ladettes” of the 90s.

Today though, she likes Pilates more than partying.

She hosts Radio 2’s Sounds of the 80s, recently presented BBC Two’s The Great Pottery Throw Down, and will be at the helm of the channel’s new series, Love In The Countryside, helping rural singletons find love.

At 42, it’s fair to say she’s settling down and heading back to her countryside roots.

“I’m thrilled about presenting Love In The Countryside,” she says.

“My role is to help and support single people living and working in the countryside to find love.

“I loved growing up on my dad’s 40-acre farm, just outside Bolton, helping him with his herd of Hereford cattle.

“But the days are long, demanding and tiring, and the fact that communities are often small can make it very hard for people to find the time, energy or opportunity to pursue romance.

“I’m a bit of a romantic and really hope I can help.”

Now happily married to advertising executive Ben Cyzer and with three children, Sara hit the milestone of 40 a couple of years ago.

“There’s such a fuss made about turning 40, but it was fine two years ago and remarkably, I’m still fine!” she laughs.

“Age is always made to be such an issue for women.

“Mind you, I wouldn’t say I’m grown-up — I don’t think anyone ever feels completely grown-up.

“When I go to my kids’ school, I have to give myself a talking to and remind myself that I’m not a child who can be overawed by teachers and authority figures.

“My mum says she still feels 19 inside, so I know I’m not alone.

“On the plus side, I’m pretty organised, more confident and not bothered about what people think.”

As for motherhood, Sara wouldn’t have life any other way.

“I can’t sum it up without sounding like a schmaltzy greetings card!” she smiles.

“There can be times of immense joy and immense tiredness!

“When they’re babies although they’re incredibly sweet, it can feel repetitive and non-rewarding.

“At one time, Ben and I felt like staff in our house — we’d meet each other in the corridor walking in the opposite directions with a baby or toddler or both in tow.

“I’m really enjoying parenting now they’re more independent.

“I’m the stricter parent in charge of veg intake, teeth brushing and homework, and Ben’s the ‘fun’ one and has more patience and energy than me.

“We’re a good balance.”

With all that going on, Sara needs to keep on her toes, but rather than fanatically hit the gym, she’s all about the great outdoors.

“If you’d told my 20-odd-year-old self that I’d love exercise, she’d have scoffed,” says Sara.

“It’s important for me mentally and the feeling of being strong and fit is addictive.

“I have a Fitbit, do 10,000 steps a day, walk our dogs, run and ride an ex-racehorse stabled near our home.

“That’s my passion — if I haven’t ridden for a while, I feel like there’s a bit of the jigsaw missing.

“I was well-known in the 90s, presenting a Radio 1 breakfast show, and followed by the paparazzi.

“No-one made me go to all those snazzy places, but they gave us free champagne and we had a ball — I was 21 and having fun.

“I didn’t do anyone any harm, but I was labelled because there’s always this tendency to box you.”

Nowadays, though, Sara’s indulgence extends as far as watching some good telly.

“While I was presenting The Great Pottery Throw Down, contestants got around seven hours to make a piece, so I had downtime and worked my way through Peaky Blinders and, six years behind the rest of the nation, Downton Abbey,” she says.

“Ben and I also watch Love Island, but I don’t know how people can take part in reality shows — I can’t think of anything worse.”