Sara Cox confirmed as Scott Mills’ replacement on BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show after he was fired over historical allegation of serious sexual offences

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Sara Cox will be the new host of BBC Radio 2’s weekday Breakfast Show, taking over from Scott Mills.

Fifty-three-year-old Mills was fired by the BBC last month after allegations of serious sexual offenses involving a teenage boy under 16 came to light.

Sarah Cox, age 51, currently presents the weekday ‘Teatime’ show on the station between 4 and 7 p.m. She’s starting a new show this summer.

She said she was thrilled and deeply honored to be chosen for such a famous show, adding that words couldn’t fully express how happy she was.

I’ve always wanted to host the Breakfast Show on Radio 2, and it feels special to finally be doing it, like things have come full circle.

These past seven years working on Teatime have been the best of my career, so thank you to all my wonderful listeners! I hope you’ll continue to listen to me on Breakfast, where I’ll be playing great music, sharing my usual fun, and welcoming some amazing guests.

‘I honestly can’t wait to wake the nation up with the biggest most fun breakfast show ever.’ 

Helen Thomas, the head of Radio 2, announced she’s thrilled Sara Cox will be taking over as the host of the popular Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

Sara is loved by the many people who listen to Teatime, and because she’s often filled in on the breakfast show before, I’m confident she’ll quickly connect with listeners and start everyone’s day with her friendly and funny personality.

I’ve been completely hooked on her ever since that incredible marathon last November! Seriously, raising over £11.5 million for Children in Need? A total legend! She absolutely earned this opportunity, and I’m already counting down the days until I can hear her perform – I’m so excited!

The replacement presenter for Sara’s weekday 4-7pm slot will be announced in due course. 

Mills was fired by the BBC for a historical allegation of serious sexual offences.

Police say the alleged incidents occurred between 1997 and 2000, when Mills was in his mid-20s.

In 2018, police questioned Mills regarding certain allegations, but prosecutors dropped the case in 2019 because they didn’t have enough proof. The BBC has acknowledged they were aware of these allegations as early as 2017.

People close to the celebrity have told the Daily Mail he’s known as ‘the nicest man in showbiz,’ but they’re deeply concerned about his well-being and are unsure how he’ll cope with his current difficulties.

One person shared that her husband, Sam, whom she met in 2016 and married in 2024, has been a wonderful support system and is what’s helping her through a difficult time.

As a lifestyle and media insider, I was saddened to hear about some recent changes at the BBC. Last month, Lorna Clarke, the Director of Music, shared with staff that Scott Mills had departed from his role hosting the Breakfast show, and has since left the BBC altogether. It’s always tough to see familiar faces move on, and I know many listeners will miss him.

‘I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.

Many of us have had the pleasure of working with Scott for years, on various programs across BBC Radio 1, 5 Live, Radio 2, and television.

‘I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.

‘Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. 

‘I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to. 

I know you probably have questions, but I won’t be able to answer them at this time.

Mills recently spoke to the Daily Mail, stating he completely cooperated with the police investigation. However, he didn’t offer any comment on the claims made against him.

Following the news that my contract with the BBC has ended, there’s been a lot of speculation. I can confirm that a statement recently released by the Metropolitan Police concerns me.

In 2016, someone accused me of a past sexual offense. The police investigated, and I fully cooperated with their inquiry in 2018.

Police shared evidence with prosecutors, but they decided there wasn’t enough proof to file charges.

Given that this issue involves an allegation from almost 30 years ago, and the police investigated and closed the case seven years ago, I respectfully request that the public and media respect my decision not to discuss it further.

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has shown me kindness, especially my former coworkers and my wonderful listeners, whom I miss very much.

The BBC followed up by saying that Scott Mills had a successful and beloved career with the organization, and that many people were shocked and saddened to hear the news this week.

As a long-time supporter of the BBC, I was saddened to hear about Scott’s departure, but I understand the BBC acted swiftly and appropriately. Recently, they received new information about him and spoke with him directly. Based on that conversation, they made the difficult decision to end his contracts on March 27th, which aligns with the standards and principles I’ve always admired in the organization.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always talking about creating positive environments, and that includes workplaces! The BBC has been doing a lot of work on this front, really focusing on how we all behave and treat each other. Last year, we had an independent look at our internal culture and, based on that, clearly laid out what’s expected from everyone connected to the BBC. And we made it very clear – we’re committed to addressing any behavior that doesn’t meet those standards. It’s all about building a better, more respectful atmosphere.

We can also confirm that the BBC learned in 2017 about a police investigation that was already underway. That investigation concluded in 2019 without any arrests or charges being filed.

‘We are doing more work to understand the details of what was known by the BBC at this time.’

Sara Cox began her career with the BBC in 1999, hosting a Saturday lunchtime program on Radio 1. The following year, she took over the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, a role she held until December 2003.

For the next eleven years, Sara hosted a variety of programs on the network, including weekday and weekend afternoon shows, as well as weekday mornings.

She began working at Radio 2 in 2011, filling in for different hosts on various programs. In 2013, she started the popular ‘Sounds of the 80s’ show on the station. She also famously raised £1.2 million for Comic Relief in 2017 by dancing for 24 hours straight to 80s music.

Starting in May 2018, Cox hosted a show on the station from 10pm to midnight on weeknights. Later in the year, she transitioned to hosting the Teatime show.

In November 2025, the celebrity finished Sara’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge by completing a 135-mile walk and run over five days, starting in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, and ending in Pudsey, West Yorkshire.

People crowded the streets to show their support for the incredible woman who raised £11.5 million for Children in Need, winning over the hearts of the country as she did so.

This March, Cox won the Audio Presenter of the Year award at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.

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2026-04-23 16:50