The race to succeed Scott Mills on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show has intensified, with Vernon Kay still the bookmakers' favourite but a new challenger rapidly closing the gap. Kay, 53, who hosts a mid-morning show on the station, is priced at 2/1 to take over the flagship slot following Mills' dismissal over alleged personal misconduct.
Sara Cox has emerged as a serious contender, now installed as second favourite at 3/1. Cox, who presents the weekday drivetime show, is already scheduled to stand in for Mills during the BBC's forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest coverage. Gary Davies, who had been the early frontrunner and has been filling in since Mills was taken off air, is now at 7/2, with OJ Borg at 5/1 and Rylan Clark at 7/1.
Scott Mills was pulled from air last Tuesday while the BBC assessed a complaint, and he was informed over the weekend that his contract had been terminated. The BBC confirmed his departure in a statement, saying: "While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted and has left the BBC." He had only taken over the Breakfast Show in January 2025, succeeding Zoe Ball.
William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: "Vernon Kay remains our 2/1 favourite to succeed Scott Mills as the next BBC Radio 2 Breakfast host, but the new arrival of Sara Cox at 3/1 shows how open this race still is. With Gary Davies (7/2), OJ Borg (5/1) and Rylan Clark (7/1) also in strong contention, there are several candidates Radio 2 could go with as they decide who wakes up the nation after Mills' departure from the show."
Other names in the betting include Clara Amfo and Greg James at 8/1, Claudia Winkleman and Dermot O'Leary at 10/1, and Roman Kemp at 14/1. The BBC has yet to confirm a permanent replacement, and it is understood interim arrangements could be put in place while a long-term successor is decided.
