Zoe Ball has spoken out about Sara Cox taking over as the new host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. Having previously missed out on the role to Zoe, Sara makes her debut on the programme today—a show she has long aspired to front.
Zoe Ball's Message of Support
Ahead of Sara's opening broadcast, the former BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host shared her thoughts on her former co-star stepping in to replace Scott Mills. Speaking on the Dig It podcast with Jo Whiley, she said: "I just wanted to send her all the love and wish her so much luck with that."
"She's going to be brilliant, I keep having people running into me saying 'Oh wow, we're looking forward to Sara'. So I just want to say good luck Sara. I know she hates people saying good luck to her, but I'm saying it anyway."
When Jo asked why Sara disliked being wished luck, Zoe laughed as she recalled the incoming Breakfast Show host recently revealing she wanted to switch her phone off to avoid such messages. "I guess it's probably because it makes you nervous," the former BBC star suggested. Jo added: "She has wanted it for a long time, she'll nail it."
Sara Cox Takes Over After Scott Mills' Departure
Sara takes over from Scott, who was recently sacked from the programme following allegations regarding his personal conduct. In a subsequent statement, the presenter neither addressed the substance of the allegations, offered any further details about them, nor provided a denial. He did, however, express gratitude to those who had stood by him, writing: "I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss."
Scott succeeded Zoe last year after she departed from the Breakfast Show following five years in the role. She subsequently left her Saturday afternoon programme before revealing last week that she will be joining Greatest Hits Radio in September.
Sara's Long-Awaited Dream
Back in 2019, Sara spoke candidly about losing out on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show when Zoe was given the position. She claimed that one of the first rules is that the stand-in never gets the gig, adding she wasn't disappointed or surprised when she received the news.
After eventually securing the position seven years later, she said in a statement: "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. I honestly can't wait to wake the nation up with the biggest most fun breakfast show ever."
