Story Highlight
– Sara Cox replaces Scott Mills as BBC Radio 2 host.
– Mills was sacked over serious sexual offense allegations.
– Cox is excited to host the Breakfast Show.
– She has a long history with BBC Radio.
– The BBC emphasizes commitment to improving workplace culture.
Full Story
Sara Cox has been appointed as the new presenter of BBC Radio 2’s weekday Breakfast Show, succeeding Scott Mills, who was recently dismissed from his role. Mills was removed following serious allegations concerning historical sexual offenses against a teenager, leading to an official investigation.
Mills, 53, was spotted out with his husband, Sam Vaughn, 37, at their Hertfordshire residence just as the announcement regarding his replacement was made public. The two have shared a long-standing friendship with Cox, having both joined BBC Radio 1 in the late 1990s. Cox attended Mills’ wedding in Barcelona earlier this year.
Cox, 51, currently leads the weekday Teatime Show from 4pm to 7pm and is set to begin her new Breakfast Show duties this summer. Expressing her excitement about the opportunity, she stated, “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, honored and incredibly chuffed.” She added, “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.”
Her enthusiasm continued as she reflected on her tenure at Radio 2, saying, “I wouldn’t swap the last 7 years of Teatime because I’ve had an absolute blast.” She hopes that her Teatime listeners will transition with her to the Breakfast Show, promising engaging music and lovable antics along with high-profile guests.
After her announcement, Cox acknowledged speculation surrounding Greg James potentially taking on the role, jokingly noting, “Have you told Greg James I’m doing his job apparently? He’s going to be gutted.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, welcomed Cox to the position, commenting, “I’m delighted that Sara Cox will be the new host of the prestigious Radio 2 Breakfast Show. Sara captured the hearts of the country last November, raising a staggering £11.5 million for Children in Need.” She expressed confidence that Cox would engage the Breakfast audience with her signature warmth and humor.
Cox’s upcoming transition has been met with widespread support and congratulatory messages from various friends and colleagues. Denise Van Outen and Lauren Laverne expressed their joy on social media, while others, including Dan Walker and Angela Scanlon, took the opportunity to congratulate her.
In the midst of this transition, the BBC continues to face scrutiny over Mills’ sudden departure, which was partly prompted by new information that led to his sacking. Allegations under investigation reportedly relate to incidents that occurred between 1997 and 2000. Mills had previously been questioned by police regarding the matter in 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service later decided not to pursue charges due to lack of evidence.
While Mills has publicly stated that he cooperated fully with the investigation, he has refrained from discussing the allegations in detail. In a statement, he expressed gratitude towards those who have supported him and clarified that he wished to maintain privacy regarding the controversial situation.
Cox’s journey with BBC Radio began in 1999 when she joined Radio 1, progressing to various shows including a stint on the Breakfast Show until 2003. Since then, she has made a notable impact on Radio 2, most recently through her successful Teatime program. The search for her successor in that time slot is still ongoing.
