Sara Cox’s Between The Covers featured a host of celeb guests from Richard Osman to Graham Norton during its eight series run

Sara Cox show Between The Covers will not be returning to the BBC (Image: Getty)

BBC viewers have been left devastated after discovering that long-standing show Between The Covers could be axed permanently. The popular format, hosted by DJ and broadcaster Sara Cox, had featured four special guest panellists each episode who would debate their views on a newly published book.

Besides that, each celebrity would also bring along a book of their own choice to add to the discussion, with a diverse range of topics and genres in the mix. Despite its popularity, it has now been announced that the show will not be returning to its usual slot on BBC Two this autumn. Meanwhile, a source told TV Zone that there are no plans for it to be reinstated in the future.

The source, a spokesperson at the BBC, clarified: “After eight series we have made the difficult decision to bring Between the Covers to an end to enable us to prioritise high-impact content that drives viewers to iPlayer.

“We would like to thank Sara Cox and all the team at Cactus TV for their hard work bringing Between the Covers to our screens.”

The show is still available to view on BBC iPlayer, with the last series featuring a host of talent including Sir Trevor McDonald, Neneh Cherry, Richard Osman, Graham Norton, The One Show’s Alex Jones, Jo Brand, Ranvir Singh, and Sophie Raworth, to name just a few.

However, although its peak audience figures recorded over one million live viewers per episode, its popularity is thought to have dwindled more recently.

Author Richard Osman was among those to appear on Between The Covers to discuss favourite books (Image: Getty)

Books chosen by guests over the years have included former US president Barack Obama’s memoir A Promised Land, which was selected by newsreader Trevor McDonald, and Glennon Doyle’s Untamed, which was Strictly star Angela Scanlon’s favourite.

Meanwhile, Oti Mabuse revealed her passion for self-help books, with Sara confirming that “she really believes in their power” after winning Strictly twice while under the influence of them.

Although Between The Covers won’t be making its return, the BBC has other projects in store, including a documentary devoted to the late Ozzy Osbourne, Coming Home.

After performing a poignant farewell show for his fans, he died later the same month in his home city of Birmingham – and the documentary will mark the “last chapter” in his life through never before seen footage filmed over the past three years.

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