Sara Cox is set to become the new host of Radio 2's flagship breakfast show, admitting the role is 'a bit scary' but declaring she is 'ready' for the challenge. The 51-year-old presenter will take over the regular slot from Monday, July 6, following the sacking of former host Scott Mills.
Cox Replaces Scott Mills After Sexual Offence Allegations
Mills' exit from the primetime programme came after the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the 53-year-old in 2026 over allegations of serious sexual offences between 1997 and 2000 involving a boy under 16. Since his departure, Gary Davies has been hosting the breakfast show ahead of Cox's debut.
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.'
From Teatime to Breakfast: A New Challenge
Cox will leave her teatime show, which she has hosted since 2018, to take on the early morning slot. She acknowledged the shift from a 4pm to 7pm show to breakfast is a change but insisted she is not nervous. '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,' she said.
'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 per cent 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.'
Bringing Hollywood to Breakfast
Cox emphasised the importance of making the audience laugh during their morning routine. She noted a key difference between her two shows: '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 is already a major name: Hollywood actor Tom Hanks.
Mills' Situation Unchanged
When asked about Mills, Cox stated: 'I know no more than you do about the whole thing.' According to insiders, Mills has endured an incredibly difficult period and has leaned on his husband, Sam Vaughan, for support. A source said Mills believes the truth will eventually come out and has taken comfort in the fact that his friends have stuck by him. He has yet to make a public announcement about the sacking and is reportedly seeking legal advice on what he can say.
