A month after Scott Mills was sacked from BBC Radio 2, it was announced today that he would be replaced by long-time colleague Sara Cox.
It was only just over a year ago that Mills took over hosting the Breakfast Show from Zoe Ball, saying at the time that it was a ‘huge honour’ and he was ‘overwhelmed by all the love’.
However late last month the radio presenter, 53, was fired from the national broadcaster following allegations over his ‘personal conduct’, which allegedly relate to a ‘historic relationship dating back more than 10 years’.
It was then revealed that he’d been let go after being the subject of a complaint regarding a historic police investigation into ‘serious sexual offences against a boy under 16’, reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.
Although the case was dropped around seven years ago due to a lack of evidence, outgoing director general Tim Davie said soon after that it was ‘very clear’ Mills had to be fired after receiving ‘new information’ about him.
After weeks of speculation over who would take over his presenting role, it was announced a few hours ago that Cox would be stepping up.
Following the announcement, she shared: ‘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.’
Mills is yet to comment on the news of his replacement, however he’s what we know about the pair’s working and personal relationship over the years.
How long have Scott Mills and Sara Cox known each other?
After beginning his career aged 16, Mills worked at Hampshire’s Power FM, GWR FM Bristol, Piccadilly Key 103 in Manchester, and then Heart 106.2. He then joined BBC Radio 1 in 1998, where he presented the early breakfast show.
In 2004, Scott moved to a weekend afternoon slot and later that year settled in the weekday early evening slot, during which time he took over from Cox when she went on maternity leave.
He stayed in this post as a permanent presenter, and the slot was renamed The Scott Mills Show. In 2012, Scott switching presenting duties with Greg James, and his show was moved to the afternoon.
Throughout his time at the BBC, Mills also regularly stepped in for Radio 2 presenters in their absence, eventually taking over Steve Wright’s Radio 2 afternoon slot in 2022 before getting the Radio 2 Breakfast show in 2025.
Meanwhile Cox hosted a range of BBC Radio 1 shows from 1999 to 2014, including the breakfast show from April 2000 until December 2003.
During her maternity leave Mills had been given her drivetime slot permanently, with Cox then taking over the afternoon show on Saturdays and Sundays. She later joined Radio 2 and has presented its teatime show since 2019.
How have they supported each other in the past?
Over their years at the BBC, the pair each stepped in to host each other’s programmes.
They also commentated for the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest on BBC Three, however following Mills’ sacking last month it was revealed she would be taking over his role commentating alongside Rylan Clark on BBC One for this year’s contest.
In November last year, Mills was also there to support Cox when she completed her epic 135-mile marathon for Children in Need – which raised £9,523,023.
After finishing up in Pudsey in Leeds, Mills interviewed her about the challenge, which she described as ‘the hardest thing I’ve ever done’. ‘I’ve never known pain like it,’ she added. At the time Mills called her efforts an unbelievable achievement.
What did Sara Cox say about replacing Scott Mills?
Today the BBC announced that Cox would launch her Breakfast Show ‘this summer’ although a firm date is yet to be revealed.
‘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,’ 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.
‘I honestly can’t wait to wake the nation up with the biggest most fun breakfast show ever.’
Cox currently hosts the 4pm to 7pm slot on Radio 2, with a replacement for that teatime show still to be announced.
Speaking to listeners for on her Teatime show today, she also said it ‘takes a lot to make me speechless’, but she was left ‘momentarily lost for words’ when offered the new role.
Is Sara Cox married and does she have kids?
Cox was married to DJ Jon Carter from 2001 until 2005, a year after they’d welcomed daughter Lola Anne together.
She later began dating marketing executive Ben Cyzer.
Their son Isaac was born in 2008, followed by daughter Renee in 2010.
The couple then got married three years later.
‘Maybe that’s why they asked me, was it just to shut me up!’ she joked. ‘But I mean, it’s always been my dream to do Breakfast, my energy has very much been waiting in the wings.
‘But I am so glad it’s happening now. I tell you what, I would not swap the last 7 years of Teatime for anything. It has been the most golden 7 years of my entire 30 year’ career, and I’ve learnt so much from you because you’re the most hilarious, brilliant listeners and I beg you – please come to Breakfast with me. Please I will send you all £5 and a clipper card.’
Cox went on to say someone ‘annoyingly brilliant’ would be taking over her Teatime slot. ‘So until then, we’ll just keep having it ever so large and on with the show!’ she declared.
Before she was officially announced as the replacement, a source told The Sun last week Cox was seen as the ‘heir apparent’.
‘Since Scott left, she has been the name which has been discussed as the best candidate and everyone at Radio 2 is saying she will be offered it,’ they said.
‘Sara has made a huge success of her drivetime slot and is hugely popular at the station, plus she’s hosted the Breakfast Show as a stand-in before.
‘The BBC won’t be rushing this through as they want the dust to settle. But Sara is the one in line and, as far as her colleagues are concerned, she is the best person for the job.’
What has Scott Mills said about being sacked?
Although Mills has kept a low profile since his firing, he previously released a statement which began by saying: ‘The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation,’ he wrote.
‘In response to this, the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me. An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence, which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully co-operated and responded to in 2018.
‘As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.
‘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.’
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