BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay extended his best wishes to Gary Davies during the opening of his final week fronting the breakfast show. Gary, a seasoned broadcaster, stepped in for Scott Mills after the latter was fired when the corporation learned of a 2016 police investigation into allegations of a historical sexual offence involving a person under 16. Gary took over on a temporary basis in March, but he is set to be replaced by fellow BBC presenter Sara Cox, who will take the reins of the breakfast show from next week.
Gary Davies Reflects on Final Week
Reflecting on the upcoming transition during his Monday morning programme, Gary said: "A great start to my final week on the Breakfast Show. Sara [Cox] taking over on Monday. Big thank you to all our stars on the show this morning." When Vernon arrived for his show, the pair shared a brief exchange before Vernon said to Gary at the outset of his own programme: "Hey, it's your last week." Gary responded by asking: "I know. You gonna miss me?", to which Vernon replied: "Of course I am. Gonna miss the golf chat." Following this, Vernon and Gary shared a few further pleasantries before the former Family Fortunes host got stuck into his own show, which broadcasts at half past nine each weekday.
Sara Cox to Take Over Permanently
Back in April, the BBC confirmed that Sara, 51, would permanently take over the programme. Speaking earlier this year about the transition, Sara shared: "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. 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."
BBC Boss and Colleagues React
BBC Radio 2 head Helen Thomas also weighed in on the announcement, expressing that she was "delighted" that Sara would be taking over as presenter. She went on to say: "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." Fellow radio DJ Trevor Nelson was equally enthusiastic in offering his congratulations, saying: "You are gonna smash it girl. So well deserved. Absolutely love her on radio, and she's gonna smash it."
