Sara Cox opens up on 'unhappy relationship' struggle after learning 'he stole from me'

Sara Cox has recalled an "unhappy relationship" from her younger days (Image: Radio 2)

Sara Cox was in a "very unhappy relationship", which eventually led her to discovering her ex-boyfriend "stole from her" before her career took off.

The 49-year-old says she felt "emotionally stranded" in the relationship before getting her big break on MTV. It came after she left her home in Lancashire and moved to a converted church in London.

Speaking to the Times in July, Sara was asked about the worst home she has ever lived in. She replied: "I was in a very unhappy relationship when I first moved to London.

"I lived in Arnos Grove in Enfield, north London, in a converted church.

"I was with this person who turned out to be horrible and he stole from me. I felt emotionally stranded there.

Sara Cox on BBC Radio 2 (Image: BBC)

"Then I binned him off and the MTV [from 1997] and Big Breakfast [from 1998] years began."

The Lancashire-born star had initially tried her hand at modelling before breaking into television with The Girlie Show on Channel 4 in 1996, and moving on to become an MTV host in 1997.

Since 1999, Cox has been a familiar voice on radio, now entertaining listeners during the drive time slot from 4pm to 7pm on BBC Radio 2.

She has been married to husband Ben Cyzer since 2013. She is also mum to Lola Anne, 19, from her first marriage to DJ Jon Carter, along with son Isaac 15, and daughter Renee, 13.

Radio 2 star Sara Cox. (Image: Getty)

North London remains the home turf for the celebrity family, though they've upgraded to a more lavish residence.

Their household ensemble includes an adorable trio of dogs - Daisy, Dolly, and Pip - as well as two feline friends, Watson and Peggy, and a pair of "quite posh" tortoises that go by Tom and Chally.

The star also has a horse, Nelly, stabled in nearby Hertfordshire. Sara bought Nelly in lockdown and says the horse changed her life for the better.

Sara will be appearing on Saturday Kitchen today (Saturday, November 2) alongside host Matt Tebbutt and chefs Jay Rayner, Poppy O'Toole and Jeremy Lee. Meanwhile expert Olly Smith will be picking wines for the guests.