Sara Cox is set to replace Scott Mills as the new host of the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, the corporation has confirmed. The 51-year-old DJ, who currently presents the teatime show from 4pm to 7pm, will assume the role in the summer.
Cox's Excitement and Gratitude
Cox expressed her overwhelming joy, stating: "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." She added that hosting the breakfast show has been a dream since joining Radio 2 and described it as a full-circle moment. Cox thanked her teatime listeners, hoping they would join her at breakfast for "excellent music and all my usual nonsense plus some superstar guests." She promised to deliver "the biggest most fun breakfast show ever."
Background of the Change
Cox will take over after Mills was sacked by the BBC last month, shortly before it emerged that the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into the 53-year-old in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000. Gary Davies has been filling in as breakfast show host since Mills was taken off the air.
Mills, who has been with BBC radio since 2011, had hosted the teatime slot on Radio 2 since 2018 after moving from Radio 1. According to the latest Rajar figures in February, Radio 2 remained the UK’s most popular radio station, with Mills’ programme being the most listened-to breakfast show, attracting a weekly audience of 6.47 million between October and December 2025. The BBC annual report in July 2025 revealed that Mills earned between £355,000 and £359,999 a year.
Radio 2 Head's Praise
Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said: "I’m delighted that Sara Cox will be the new host of the prestigious Radio 2 Breakfast Show. 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." Thomas highlighted Cox's achievement of raising £11.5 million for Children in Need during her Great Northern Marathon Challenge last November, adding: "She thoroughly deserves this gig. I can’t wait to hear her first show."
Industry Reactions
DJ and radio presenter Trevor Nelson announced the news on BBC Radio 2, saying: "We’ve just heard the news that our very own Sara Cox will be the brand new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show! You are gonna smash it girl. So well deserved. Absolutely love her on radio, and she’s gonna smash it."
The new DJ for the teatime slot will be announced in due course.
