BBC staffers hit back at claims Radio 2 is a 'very happy ship' and say they feel 'undermined'

Published: 20:50 EDT, 28 October 2026 | Updated: 20:50 EDT, 28 October 2026 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’.Employees at one of the BBC’s biggest radio stations are said to be furious their feelings have been ‘undermined’ in a new interview with the 51-year-old presenter.It was revealed earlier this week by sources inside Radio 2 that Ms Cox’s habit of calling staff out on air for mistakes makes for an ‘uncomfortable’ environment.A profile published today referenced staff’s concerns but dismissed them by revealing Ms Cox had been seen ‘mucking about’ with four of her team and a producer which signalled ‘a very happy ship indeed’.On reading the piece, a source at the station told the Daily Mail: ‘Of course with any guests that come into any show, staff are always on best behaviour as it's their job.‘They’re never going to go, “We are not happy working here or with Sara”, when she is in the room with them and has to work with her every day.’Ms Cox took over the flagship Breakfast Show in July after Scott Mills was sacked when historical allegations of serious sexual assault against a teenage boy emerged in April.The case had been investigated by police in 2018 and dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service in 2019 – Mills has launched legal action against the BBC for unfair dismissal.But the 53-year-old will not be returning to the BBC and Ms Cox was drafted in as his replacement.Last week a source approached the Daily Mail and said: ‘A lot of studio managers and technicians don't like working on the show with her.'Everybody is on edge because she keeps pulling people up when there is a mistake that goes out on air and then throwing them under the bus, it's unfair and not part of the team spirit.'An old recording heard by the Mail of a live show in August revealed the host singling out a producer, Anthony.Talking to the travel presenter, Ellie Brennan, the Morning Live host said: 'Do your connection song, Ellie, whoosh, and then lift. You alright there my lovely? You're on the wrong mic there.'Who's been messing with the mic? Why do you sound so weird? Don't worry, an operative wearing a beard will def - look, he's not moving.'Shouting through to the control room, she said: 'That's your cue Anthony, to come in! It's not a spectator sport this love, you know, you can come and get it.'Look, here he is, a man has dashed in with a beard. Oh here we go.'She sarcastically added: 'Now if you were at the handover with Vernon that went perfectly last week, you'll know the name Anthony because that came up.'While the exchange was punctuated with laughter from Sara, insiders revealed the team were left feeling 'very uncomfortable'.A source said: 'Staff felt like she could have gone on and owned it a bit and had a joke, but she had to make a point it wasn't her.'There was a time Zoe [Ball] used to say the wrong time and just joke it off or Scott [Mills] would have the wrong day played on his 8am jingle song and instead of blaming other people he would just go, 'That's my fat fingers'.'A BBC spokesperson said: 'Live radio is at its best when it feels spontaneous and real, and this was simply a lighthearted, on-air moment between colleagues.'Sara's warm, lively presenting style and great relationship with the breakfast team are genuine - and that authentic chemistry is exactly what our millions of listeners tune in for every weekday morning.'