Sara Cox has said she is not nervous about hosting Radio 2’s flagship breakfast show, describing the role as “huge but I’m ready”. The 51-year-old DJ will take over the coveted slot from July 6, replacing former host Scott Mills, who was sacked by the BBC after a Metropolitan Police investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy under 16.
Cox’s Confidence and Experience
Speaking to the Times, Cox said: “It’s huge but I’m ready. I might have to bury my phone in my neighbour’s sandpit a couple of days before because I don’t like people texting me good luck, but the minute I open my mic, I’ll be fine. I’m not nervous because I know I can do a good job. I don’t want to sound arrogant but I’ve been doing radio for 28 years now.”
Cox, who has fronted the teatime show (4pm to 7pm) on Radio 2 since 2018, was announced as the new breakfast host in April. She said that despite loving the teatime slot, she was ready for another challenge: “I think if you’re ambitious, you always want to do the next big thing. After seven years on a show that I absolutely love, that I give 100% to every day, I was starting to feel ready for another challenge. I was ready for something new and a bit scary because I quite like that feeling. It keeps you interested and interesting.”
New Format and First Guest
Cox said she wants to have a “chuckle” and “play some brilliant songs”, claiming that a good breakfast show is one “that makes you laugh”. She noted differences from her teatime show: “The big difference is that we didn’t have a single celebrity on teatime. The stars were always the regular listeners calling in. So I am going to take them with me to breakfast but we’ll have a bit of Hollywood too.” Her first guest will be Hollywood actor Tom Hanks.
Cox will take over from Gary Davies, who has been filling in as breakfast show host since Mills was taken off air. Asked about her predecessor Mills, she said: “I know no more than you do about the whole thing.”
Background and Reaction
The Bolton-born DJ previously described the role as a “dream” and said she was “ecstatic, honoured and incredibly chuffed”. Her new Breakfast Show will be available on BBC Radio 2 from 6.30am on July 6.
