Sarah Cawood drew praise and support after she shared a heartbreaking post about feeling lost in middle age – and has now shared how Zoe Ball offered to help her
Sarah Cawood has opened up about the reaction she received while expressing her fear her life had hit a dead end – including a supportive message from TV and radio star Zoe Ball.
TV fans will know Sarah as an icon of the 1990s when she hosted a range of smash shows including Top of the Pops, Live and Kicking, and the MTV dating show Singled Out. The 53-year-old mum-of-two won support last week when she opened up on social media and shared her fear her career had peaked.
In a searingly honest post, she wrote: “Can I be really honest? For a minute? I’m 53, I’m healthy and I have a lovely family… But I feel lost.’
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She explained: “I made the mistake of doom-scrolling this morning and all my former peers are just SLAYING it… it’s hard to explain, but I just feel really…left out. It’s so silly to say that at 53, I feel jealous.”
She continued: “All my former TV buddies, plus new friends I’ve met here and they all seem to be at events with each other, working together and THRIVING. And here’s the thing: I couldn’t be more pleased or proud of those women but I miss them… and I miss being one of them.”
She then went on to explain the mundane household chores that she spends much of her days conducting, and expressed a concern that she is not earning enough money.
She went on: “I just feel so redundant. I want to build my own brand; maybe write a book using my old diaries, but I simply don’t have time: unless my time is spent on income-producing activities, I can’t do them: I’d work 24 hours a day and see no one.”
She went on to explain she had decided to share her feelings as an offer of support to others who may feel the same way. And added: “I HAD my time, and it was GREAT. So maybe I should just shut up and be grateful (I AM grateful I really am! My life is so lovely and I’m so lucky, I just want a little bit more: is that greedy?) Maybe the Universe has a different plan for me.”
The post drew hundreds of messages of support from followers – including Zoe Ball. In a column for The Sun, Sarah revealed: “I’ve always admired Zoe for the way she’s at the top of her game but still remains down-to-earth and one of us.
“Even though I worked with her friend Sara Cox on Channel 4’s The Girlie Show back in the 1990s – and have also presented Live & Kicking and Top of the Pops – I think we’ve only met in person once or twice.
She and Coxy hung out with the dance crowd back in the day but I was an indie girl, so our social circles didn’t really cross.”
She went on to reveal: “When I got breast cancer a few years ago, she sent me a beautiful DM. While I’d love to take up her offer and sit down for a natter, I don’t want to be that person who forces themselves on someone being kind.”
Zoe’s original post stated: “Oh darling S it’s not always as it may look from out there i promise. don’t be sad – although a good weep is such a good outlet and a must. if you ever want a cuppa.”
To which Sarah replied: “Thanks ZoZo! You are honestly one in a bloody million: treading that line between being on the telly and also, just like us! And we all love you for it! May take you up on that offer: just for a Ball Cuddle!”
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