Sara Cox takes over
Sara Cox sat in for Scott and opened the programme by acknowledging the change immediately, joking that listeners had not overslept and promising the usual breakfast-show features alongside her own style.
She was joined by Tina Daheley and Ellie Brennan, while the programme retained the Good Morning Minute, the Easiest Quiz and Birthday Game.
The morning also returned to a stag-day story in which a group had agreed to travel to the place where the first goal in English football was scored. The destination turned out to be Doncaster, where the group were welcomed by Doncaster Rovers and given a shirt and stadium visit.
Si King
Si King joined Sara to talk about food, life after the Hairy Bikers and the importance of continuing to cook and share stories.
The conversation reflected on the partnership that made the Hairy Bikers so popular, combining recipes with travel, friendship and a willingness to show the people behind the food.
Si discussed the way meals carry memories and how particular dishes can connect people with family, places and periods of their life.
Sara also asked about the practical side of cooking for television, including the difference between a recipe that works at home and one that needs to survive filming, travel and repeated takes.
Listeners responded with memories of Hairy Bikers programmes and recipes they had continued to make. The interview remained affectionate without losing sight of Si’s own work and plans.
The Easiest Quiz
Charlotte set the early weekly pace with 16 points. The quiz remained built around extremely simple questions delivered quickly, with the pressure of live radio making ordinary answers unexpectedly difficult.
The Birthday Game
Stephen hoped for Pet Shop Boys or another strong 1980s choice. His first song was Slade’s Cum On Feel the Noize from 1973, which he rejected quickly.
The second option was Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made for Walkin’, number one in 1966. Stephen was tempted but decided to risk the final spin in the hope of something closer to his preferred era.
He was left with Boyzone’s cover of When the Going Gets Tough, the 1999 Comic Relief number one. Stephen admitted his initial disappointment but said he would still sing along.
10 March 2025: the handover
Sara handed over after a programme that kept Scott’s regular features in place while allowing Si King’s interview to provide the main focus.
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