Sara Cox will take over as the new host of the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, replacing Scott Mills after his sacking over allegations about his personal conduct.
The announcement comes as the BBC faces pressure to explain who knew what and when in relation to a 2017 police investigation into Mills over allegations of sexual abuse. The corporation has confirmed it was first made aware of the police investigation in 2017. No charges were brought and Mills remained in his job.
Last month the BBC terminated Mills’s contract in accordance with its “culture and values”. The broadcaster did not provide details on what fresh information had prompted it to take action. Mills took over the breakfast show in 2025 after longtime host Zoe Ball stood down.
Cox, who hosts the teatime show on the station from 4pm to 7pm, will take over the breakfast slot in the summer. “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,” Cox said on Thursday.
“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.”
Latest industry figures published by Rajar in February showed Radio 2 remained the UK’s most popular radio station. Mills’s programme was the most listened-to breakfast show in the UK with a weekly audience of 6.47 million between October and December 2025.
Helen Thomas praised Cox’s ability to connect with audiences
Helen Thomas, the 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.”
Mills has previously declined to comment on the allegations
Referring to the claims made against him, Mills has previously said: “Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.”
“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.”
Why did the BBC wait to act on the allegations against Scott Mills?
The BBC said it obtained new information in March 2026 that prompted it to terminate Mills’s contract, despite being aware of a police investigation since 2017 that did not result in charges.
What was Scott Mills’s audience share before his departure?
Mills’s breakfast show had a weekly audience of 6.47 million between October and December 2025, making it the most listened-to breakfast show in the UK during that period.