Sara Cox has secured another lucrative contract with the BBC after being named as Scott Mills' successor on Radio 2. The 51-year-old presenter appears to be the broadcaster's new golden girl, having been handed a fresh deal for the series The Marvellous Miniature Workshop.
According to The Mirror, the show has been renewed for double the usual number of episodes, with its length extended from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. A source commented: 'This is a massive show of faith in Sara, who is going down a storm with audiences - and the BBC is backing her all the way.'
The programme features Sara and a team of miniaturists recreating cherished buildings and locations that hold significance for participants. The first series aired last year and received positive reviews. Sara expressed her delight: 'I'm absolutely over the moon about the new series of Marvellous Miniature Workshop; it's easily the most heartwarming and wonderful programme I've ever been involved with. I can't wait to hear more stories, help unearth more memories, and watch our superb miniaturists breathe life back into places long since gone or neglected.'
It was announced on March 30 that Scott, 53, had been dismissed from the BBC after 28 years, allegedly due to claims of a historical relationship. The Mirror linked the decision to a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy between 1997 and 2000. The case was dropped around seven years ago due to a lack of evidence.
The BBC stated it had removed all future work planned with the presenter, including coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest in May. Scott had been a commentator for Eurovision's semi-finals since 2011, joined by Rylan Clark in recent years. Sara will take over the role, having commentated on the semi-finals during a radio show last year alongside Rylan.
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place in Vienna, Austria, on May 16, with semi-finals on May 12 and 14. Scott and Sara were close colleagues, with Scott previously supporting her Children In Need challenge. In November last year, he posted a tribute: 'WHAT. A. HERO. so proud of @djsaracox.'
Daily Mail reported that the alleged victim was under 16 at the time of the alleged offences in the 1990s. Mills, then 24, was reportedly questioned by police under caution in 2018. Scotland Yard confirmed detectives sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which rejected the case due to lack of evidence. The investigation closed in 2019.
The Daily Mail also suggested the complainant may have been inspired to speak out again due to the new Huw Edwards docu-drama. Sources within the BBC claim the unnamed man may have approached the corporation because of publicity surrounding Martin Clunes starring in Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards. Mills was sacked six days after being taken off air following his final Radio 2 breakfast show, coinciding with the release of the Channel 5 programme.
