Sara Cox left BBC Radio 2 listeners in tears during her debut breakfast show on Monday, as she read an emotional message from a fan to her first celebrity guest, Tom Hanks. The Hollywood legend was visibly moved by the story of how his animated film Toy Story helped two non-verbal boys develop their speech.
Listener's Heartfelt Message
Cox read out an email from a listener named Drew, who wrote: "My little boys, Logan and Liam didn't speak at all for the first five years. Toy Story has been really important to them for their vocal and social development." She continued: "Woody [Hanks' character] was one of Logan's first words. When aged five, Mummy starts to play some Randy Newman, he started to sing 'You've Got A Friend In Me' and I lost it. I was in bits, in absolute floods. Hundreds of viewings, over three years later, and neither of us are bored of any of these remarkable movies."
Tom Hanks' Emotional Response
Looking moved, Hanks paused before saying: "Drew. Oh my." He remarked: "Look at the power of cinema and look at what Drew's kids learned from three very well mapped-out stories of characters who, believe it or not, even though they're toys, they're still just like us." Cox then asked if the Forrest Gump star would give a shout-out to Logan and Liam in his best Woody impression. Hanks jumped into action, transforming into the iconic cartoon toy: "Oh my gosh, it's Logan and Liam, hey guys! Welcome to Andy's room! We have a special spot for visitors like you!" He continued: "You know, normally? When you walk in? We would all lay around like this, 'Ugh, we're just toys' [mimes being lifeless]. But because you're here, we want to play with you! Here, you sit here, Liam you sit here, Logan you sit here, I'll be here, Jessie will be here." As Cox burst out laughing, he went on: "Buzz? Buzz... why don't you go back and make an entrance a little bit later? Okay guys, stand by! Liam and Logan are gonna play with us now! Let's all begin... alright, guys, we're all yours! Starting... now!"
Listener Reactions
Fans flooded the comments on BBC Radio 2's Instagram with their appreciation. One wrote: "Oh my word. What a legend and what a show." Another added: "This has me sobbing! What a sweet message and Tom Hanks is such a good sport. Wonderful man." A third listener commented: "Oh that was so emotional. I would love to have seen Liam and Logan's faces."
Cox's Breakfast Show Debut
Cox launched her first ever breakfast show on Monday after being announced as Scott Mills' successor. Mills was sacked in March after it emerged he was investigated over alleged serious sexual offences against a boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000. In a humorous nod at her role, Cox played songs like Lizzo's hit About Damn Time and CeCe Peniston's Finally, but drew the line at Ella Fitzgerald's At Last, saying it was "too self-indulgent". She thanked Gary Davies, who was "parachuted in" to fill the slot after Mills was taken off air. Cox had fronted the teatime show, 4pm to 7pm, on the station since 2018.
Scott Mills' Sacking
Mills was sacked by the BBC shortly before it emerged police had launched an investigation into him in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy under 16. He allegedly stayed in contact with the boy for years until around 2006. The investigation was dropped due to lack of evidence. The BBC confirmed it knew about the police investigation into Mills in 2017, but said it "acted decisively" after receiving "new information" in the weeks before his sacking. In April, Mills released a statement through his lawyers saying he had been the subject of "rumour and speculation" since his sacking, and that he had "co-operated fully" with the police investigation. Mills is reportedly planning to sue the BBC for unfair dismissal.
