Sara Cox ‘is eyed up by BBC bosses for Radio 2 Breakfast Show gig’ after Scott Mills’ sacking over historical allegation of serious sexual offences

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Following Scott Mills’ departure from the BBC, Sara Cox is widely expected to be the next host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

The 51-year-old broadcaster, known for hosting BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast Show for three years, is widely considered the next in line for the position.

Sara is also set to replace the DJ on the BBC’s Eurovision coverage.

Scott, age 53, lost his job last month after allegations of serious sexual offenses involving a teenager under 16 came to light.

According to police, the alleged incidents occurred between 1997 and 2000, when Mills was in his mid-20s.

Police questioned him in 2018, but prosecutors dropped the case in 2019 because they didn’t have enough evidence. The BBC has acknowledged they were aware of the claims since 2017.

Recent reports suggest Sara is a leading candidate to take over the position and is expected to receive a job offer this summer.

According to a source, Sara is the frontrunner to take over the Breakfast Show. Since Scott’s departure, she’s been the leading candidate, and colleagues at Radio 2 expect she’ll be offered the position.

Sara is a very successful and popular host on our drive-time show, and she’s previously filled in and done a great job hosting the Breakfast Show as well.

The BBC is taking its time with the decision, wanting to avoid any immediate controversy. Sara is the leading candidate, and her coworkers believe she’s the most qualified for the position.

A BBC Spokesperson said: ‘Further news on a permanent replacement will follow in due course.’ 

The Daily Mail contacted Sara’s representatives for comment.

Scott publicly acknowledged, through a statement released by his lawyers to the Daily Mail, that he was being investigated.

People within the company were completely shocked by Scott’s firing, and he’s apparently not responding to calls from friends who are concerned about him.

In an email to BBC staff last month, Music Director Lorna Clarke announced that Scott Mills has left both the Breakfast show and the BBC.

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

Many of us have worked 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.

The BBC stated it’s unclear if managers knew how old the boy was when the initial allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. Current management recently learned about the boy’s age and took steps to remove him from his position.

Investigators are currently reviewing old emails and personnel files to determine what employees knew about the Met Police investigation and whether they were aware the person making the complaint was a minor.

Scott publicly acknowledged he was under investigation, and then expressed his gratitude to fans and past coworkers for their support.

He stated he fully cooperated with the police investigation and answered their questions. However, he didn’t offer any response to the accusations themselves.

Following the news that my contract with the BBC has ended, there’s been a lot of rumors and guesses. I can confirm that a statement released by the Metropolitan Police is about me.

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

According to the police, they sent a case file to prosecutors, who decided there wasn’t enough evidence 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 hope the public and media will respect my decision not to discuss it further.

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has shown me kindness, especially my former coworkers and all of you who listened – I miss you all very much.

A BBC spokesperson said that Scott Mills had a successful and popular career with the organization, and that many people were surprised and saddened to hear of his departure this week.

We recently received new information about Scott and spoke with him directly. Following this, the BBC quickly ended his contracts on March 27th, consistent with our standards and principles.

The BBC is dedicated to creating a better workplace. After a thorough review of its internal culture last year, we established clear standards of behavior for all staff and anyone working with the BBC. We made it clear that there would be consequences for not meeting these expectations, and we are now taking steps to address any issues.

We can also confirm that the BBC learned about a police investigation in 2017. That investigation was later closed 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.’

The star is reportedly not taking calls from his worried friends following his sacking.

According to a source at the Daily Mirror, Scott has been unreachable since the decision was made, and his friends are having trouble getting in touch with him.

‘The show was his life and he is facing oblivion,’ a friend has told the newspaper.

According to The Mirror, those close to him were completely surprised by his recent dismissal, and had no prior knowledge of it or the 2016 police investigation. They learned about both events when they became public.

DJ Gary Davies has been filling in for Scott on the morning show since he was let go, and the station is actively searching for someone to take over permanently.

Rylan Clark and OJ Borg are now considered potential hosts, as Vernon Kay and Claudia Winkleman have reportedly decided not to pursue the role.

Oliver James Borg, known as OJ, presents a live radio show every weeknight from midnight to 3am. Those in charge describe him as unpredictable and unconventional.

Potential hosts are also said to be wary of showing they are too keen to avoid ‘vulture circling’. 

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2026-04-16 01:37