Sara Cox has come a long way from her days on Channel 4's The Girlie Show as she prepares to take over Radio 2's iconic Breakfast slot, with her first show starting today06:07, 06 Jul 2026Sara Cox is gearing up for one of the biggest gigs of her career today when she becomes Radio 2's new Breakfast Show host. The former barmaid from Bolton, 51, is in the hot seat after ex-presenter Scott Mills was relieved of his duties following allegations of historic sexual offences.‌Sara, who shot to fame on Channel 4's The Girlie Show before going onto host Radio 1's Breakfast Show, insists she's not nervous about stepping into the spotlight, saying: "It's huge, but I'm ready."‌The mum-of-three has certainly dealt with a lot off-camera over the years, including beating childhood bullies, surviving on slimmer soups', being 'humbled' by actress, Patsy Kensit - and dealing with cockroaches in South Korea...‌Beating childhood bulliesDespite going onto bag a modelling contract and grace a whole host of magazine covers, Sara was bullied in school. Revealing she was picked on for being tall as well her 'knobbly knees', Sara admitted she found "solace in Shakespeare".‌After bagging her stellar gig on Radio 1 and 'ladette' title with party pal, Zoe Ball, Sara assumed she would never hear from her bullies again. However, in a jaw-dropping moment live on air, one of them called up the show!Asking for a shoutout on the radio, the barefaced bully showed no shame. However, Sara wasn't having any of it. Speaking to the Times, she said: "I was outraged that she thought she could do that like we were friends. Couldn't she remember?"That horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach, that cortisol bubbling around as you walk up the corridor wondering if you're going to get tripped up or elbowed.‌"The whispering in class. I was, like: 'Sure, I'll give you a shoutout.' And she did. It began with: 'You were a big bully."'Cockroaches in KoreaAfter her A-levels, Sara went to Paris where she was approached by a modelling agency. Being snapped up by a scout when she returned to Manchester, the star was the flown around the world for shoots.For one of her shoots, Sara went to South Korea. However, she said her flat share was so dirty she had to crush a hoard of cockroaches with her shampoo bottle!‌'Surviving on slimmer soups'Aged just 20 and modelling in Paris, Milan and Seoul, Sara admitted she wasn't healthy.Talking to Good Housekeeping magazine about her lifestyle, she admitted: "I had what would now be described as ‘disordered eating’."But back then, in the early 90s, it was just seen as the norm. You smoked a lot of Malboro Lights and survived on slimmer soups and coffee. It wasn’t remotely healthy!"‌Barmaid in BoltonWhile modelling, Sara also supported herself working as a barmaid at the Bolton pub, before eventually bagging a role on The Girlie Show.The irreverent offering, which featured segments including 'W****r of the Week' was a big deal at the time and was watched by thousands.However, Sara admits she embarrassed herself live on TV when she called out actress, Patsy Kensit, who dealt with the jibe in a effortlessly classy way...‌'Humbled' by Patsy KensitMum-of-three, Sara, got an audition on The Girlie Show after being scouted while she was a model. However, while live on the programme, she made a nasty comment about Pasty Kensit, telling the actress: "Your lips are like your knees. They never meet.""Shortly after that I saw Liam Gallagher backstage at Top of the Pops and he wasn't overly impressed with me," Sara has now admitted, adding: "I was quietly devastated because I loved Oasis."Article continues belowSpeaking to The Times about Patsy's "classy" response after being publicly humiliated by Sara, the radio host said: "I went to Nobu and Patsy Kensit was there and she waved me over."She was so friendly and classy. It was either the ultimate kill-it-with-kindness or she hadn't seen the telly or she just thought I was young and silly and who cares? I've always really respected her after that."Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.