BBC Radio 2 newsreader Tina Daheley has announced her departure from the Breakfast Show after a seven-year tenure, following the dismissal of former host Scott Mills. However, travel presenter Ellie Brennan, a close associate of Mills who joined when he took over from Zoe Ball in January 2025, will remain with the programme.
Daheley's Departure
Tina, aged 45, began her role as newsreader on the early morning show when Zoe Ball replaced Chris Evans as host in 2019. She continued after Mills, who was fired in March amid allegations of serious sexual offences involving an underage boy, took over last year. Sharing the news on Instagram, Daheley cited a desire to escape the “early alarm calls” as her reason for leaving.
The announcement came just one day after Sara Cox confirmed 6 July as the start date for her new breakfast show. During the programme, temporary presenter Gary Davies expressed his anticipation for a break, saying, “From 6 July you and I get some sleep. And Sara is going to be absolutely brilliant on this show.” When asked if Ellie Brennan was “sticking around,” she replied, “My alarm stays on. So very exciting. I’ll be joining Sara in a few weeks’ time. Can’t wait.”
A Long Career
Daheley’s decision to exit follows 14 years of early morning starts. She will be replaced by fellow news presenter Matt Carter. In her Instagram post, she wrote, “It’s been one of the greatest privileges of my life to wake up with you every morning, and humbling to have been trusted to deliver the news on the biggest breakfast show in Europe. After 18 years and six back-to-back breakfast shows (probably a record in there somewhere), I’m looking forward to a lie-in.” She added, “Wishing Sara and her team the very best of luck. I’ll be tuning in while doing the school run.”
Daheley will not leave BBC Radio 2 entirely and has TV work lined up. “You’ll hear me between 12-2pm when Jeremy [Vine]’s away, and you’ll see me on BBC One after the summer,” she said.
Sara Cox Takes Over
Earlier this year, Sara Cox auditioned to be a Strictly Come Dancing presenter but said her heart wasn’t in it because she had already secured her “dream job” of hosting the Radio 2 breakfast show. Insiders indicate that Cox will move across solo, with her current team remaining in the teatime slot. No permanent host for Drive has been announced yet, with Mark Goodier, Ellie Taylor, and Alex Jones currently covering. Gary Davies is also expected to serve as a stand-in until a new host is appointed.
