Vernon Kay remains the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Scott Mills on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show following his shock exit, however a new challenger is rapidly gaining ground.
The veteran broadcaster, 53, had only taken over the flagship slot in January 2025, succeeding Zoe Ball, who stepped down to spend more time with her family.
It was revealed on Monday that Mills had been dismissed over alleged “personal misconduct”.
He was pulled from air last Tuesday while the BBC assessed the situation and was informed over the weekend that his contract had been terminated.
Confirming his departure, the BBC said in a statement: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted and has left the BBC.”
Attention has now turned to who could take over one of the biggest jobs in UK radio, with betting intensifying in the wake of Mills’ departure.
Kay, who hosts a mid-morning show on Radio 2, is already a familiar voice to listeners and has previously covered high-profile slots on the station. He continues to lead the market at 2/1, but there has been a notable shift behind him.
Rylan Clark has seen the biggest surge in support, with his odds slashed from 12/1 to 4/1, putting him firmly in contention for the role.
Gary Davies, who had been the early frontrunner and has been sitting in since Mills first went off air, is now priced at 3/1 alongside Sara Cox, while Clara Amfo also sits at 4/1.
Claudia Winkleman has emerged as a surprise contender at 5/1 after her odds tumbled from 20/1.
Further down the list, Trevor Nelson is at 6/1, with Emma Willis, Gaby Roslin and OJ Borg all at 7/1. Fearne Cotton is priced at 10/1, while Davina McCall is a 16/1 outsider.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “It is all change in the race for the Breakfast Show hotseat. Rylan Clark is gathering serious momentum with punters, while Vernon Kay has officially knocked Gary Davies off the top spot. The market is moving fast as the search for Scott Mills’ successor heats up.”
The BBC has yet to confirm who will take over the role permanently, and it is understood that interim hosting arrangements could be put in place while a long-term successor is decided.
The Radio 2 Breakfast Show remains one of the most listened-to programmes in the UK, making the appointment a key decision for the broadcaster.
