Sara Cox / BBC
Sara Cox has been named as the new host of the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, replacing the sacked Scott Mills.
Mills, 53, was axed by the corporation last month after it emerged that he had been subject of a police investigation into historical allegations of misconduct with a boy aged under 16 in the late ’90s.
The investigation was subsequently dropped due to lack of evidence but the BBC acted to sack Mills after learning the supposed age of the individual involved.
Cox, 51, currently hosts the Drivetime show between 4pm and 7pm on weekdays but will move to the flagship 6.30am to 9.30am slot this Summer.
“There are not enough adjectives to really sum up how I’m feeling about being trusted with such an iconic show but let’s start with ecstatic, honoured and incredibly chuffed,” said Cox, who has been working at BBC Radio for 27 years.
“It’s been a dream to host the Breakfast Show since I joined Radio 2 and it feels like a bit of a full circle for me. I’ve had the most glorious seven years of my career on Teatime so thank you to my brilliant Teatime listeners who hopefully will join me at Breakfast for excellent music and all my usual nonsense plus some superstar guests.
“I honestly can’t wait to wake the nation up with the biggest most fun breakfast show ever.”
Radio 2 head Helen Thomas added: “I’m delighted that Sara Cox will be the new host of the prestigious Radio 2 Breakfast Show. Sara is adored by her millions of listeners at Teatime, and having regularly deputised in the slot, I already know she’ll build a brilliant rapport with the Breakfast audience and get the nation going each morning with her trademark warmth and humour.
“She captured the hearts of the country last November, raising a staggering £11.5m for Children in Need on her Great Northern Marathon Challenge and thoroughly deserves this gig. I can’t wait to hear her first show.”
Gary Davies has been filling in on Breakfast since Mills’s sacking and is expected to continue in the role until Cox officially takes over.
