Oh my gosh, I nearly screamed when I heard Sara Cox talk about her daughter! She actually said she’s a ‘proud mother of a queer daughter‘ while chatting with Sam Smith – it just warmed my heart! It’s amazing to see her be so open and supportive, and it means so much to me as a fan. Seriously, I’m beaming right now!
The Radio 2 Breakfast host has three children: Lola, age 22, from a previous relationship with Jon Carter, and Isaac, 18, and Renee, 16, with her husband Ben Cyzer. She didn’t say which of her daughters she was talking about.
Sara shared the exciting news while talking to Sam (who uses they/them pronouns) about their latest song, ‘Oh Mother.’ The song is a heartfelt tribute to Sam’s mother, Kate Cassidy.
Sara wondered if every mother deserves a song written about her, and Sam wholeheartedly agreed. He added that this is especially true for LGBTQ+ children and their mothers, noting his own close and loving relationship with his mom.
Sara spoke up, adding, ‘I’m also part of that community, as a proud mom to a queer daughter.’ Sam responded with a heartfelt, ‘Beautiful.’
The singer explained that the song was inspired by their mother’s fierce love and instinct to protect them, especially during times of pain or sadness.
Sam, fiancé(e) of fashion designer Christian Cowan, shared that they’ve been considering having children.
She shared that as she gets older, she’s increasingly feeling a desire to become a mother and start a family.
‘So it definitely felt like a maturing theme to step into for me, which was really great.’
Sara explained that mothers are always supportive, both when you’re a child and an adult. They’re the people who stick by you through everything.
Sam shared that his family—his parents and sisters—have been a huge source of support throughout his difficult times.
Sara has talked openly about the challenges of being a working mother. In an interview with The Times Magazine last year, she explained that taking maternity leave can be worrying because you start to question how it will affect your job when you return.
I felt fortunate to have my husband, Ben, and a strong support network when my two younger children were born.
It was good to return to work, but it always feels like a setback. I frequently apologize to my children for not being present at certain events, but they understand the demands of my job.
‘I hope they won’t have to have therapy in the future because they had an absent mother.’
Sara has also talked about setting limits with her children. She explained she didn’t want to become the kind of parent often featured in tabloids with headlines proclaiming a too-close relationship with their child, like ‘best friends’.
Looking back at old photos of us in workout gear or out at clubs is… a bit much! But honestly, it’s wonderful getting to a point where we can all just enjoy doing things together. Like last year, seeing Beyoncé with everyone was amazing.
On her podcast, “The Teen Commandments,” Sara shares the ups and downs of raising teenagers alongside her close friend, Clare Hamilton.
Although her two youngest kids still live with her, her oldest daughter, Lola, is at university studying art.
Sara shared that while she loves her daughter Lola very much, she’s relieved Lola is moving out. They’ve both felt it was time for a change and for Lola to become more independent.
In a 2023 appearance on the Parenting Hell podcast, she described her daughter being ready to move out, saying she was fully grown and on the verge of leaving home.
Sara jokingly said she plans to ‘get absolutely hammered’ and celebrate when she drops her daughter, Lola, off at college.
She described her current relationship with her daughter as similar to how she feels after visiting her own mother: both relationships have a limit, and eventually, they need space from one another.
She explained that when her mother visits, she no longer takes her to the train station herself. Instead, she orders a ride-sharing service like Uber for her mom, who is now comfortable with this arrangement. She feels they both need some space from each other.
‘We (Lola and I) are a bit like that – “I love you, but we’re done now.” She’ll be off.’
Sara said she feels like she’s nearly finished with parenting, and that her children are becoming increasingly independent.
2026-07-27 12:19