Sara Cox will replace Scott Mills as the new host of the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, the broadcaster has announced.
Mills was sacked by the BBC after the corporation learned of police investigations into allegations of historical sexual offence involving a person under 16.
Cox, 51, had been the favourite to replace the axed DJ, having hosted the Radio 2 drivetime show on weekday afternoons.
In a statement, she said she was “ecstatic, honoured and incredibly chuffed” to be taking over the station’s flagship show.
“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.”
Cox’s replacement for the teatime slot is set to be announced at a later date.
Looking back on her time on the show, she said: "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."
The breakfast show had thus far been hosted by Gary Davies, a regular replacement and cover radio presenter for the BBC’s programmes.
Despite not being the station’s most listened to programme, the Radio 2 breakfast slot has long been one of the most prestigious roles in British radio.
Vernon Kay is the man behind the country’s most popular radio programme - the BBC’s mid-morning slot.
Cox has presented various other shows on the station, such as Sounds of the 80s and the late-night programmes.
Aside from radio, she has had stints in television, presenting The Great Pottery Throw Down and book review series Between The Covers.
Mills had his namesake show on BBC Radio 1 from 2004 to 2022. He took over Radio 2’s flagship breakfast show in 2025 before being sacked in March this year.
The offences for which he was investigated are said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000, when Mills was in his 20s.
The investigation did not lead to any criminal charges as the Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence.
New information that was revealed in recent weeks led to Mills’ sacking in March.
Mills has never addressed the substance of the allegations nor provide denial. However, in a statement he said that he fully cooperated with police.
The 53-year-old 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."
