It’s now been nearly three weeks since Scott Mills was sacked from the BBC – with the news of his Radio 2 replacement yet to be announced.
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. However, the case was dropped around seven years ago due to a lack of evidence.
Despite this, outgoing director general Tim Davie told BBC staff a few days later that it was ‘very clear’ Mills had to be fired after receiving ‘new information’ about him.
While his replacements for commentating the Eurovision Song Contest and a Race Across the World spin-off podcast have already been announced, who will be taking over his Radio 2 job is not yet clear.
It was just last year that Mills took over hosting the Breakfast Show from Zoe Ball. Before being sacked, he was one of the highest-paid presenters at the BBC – with his salary being between £315,000 to £319,999 in 2024.
Although the BBC hasn’t yet revealed who will be taking over the role, plenty of names have been thrown into the mix.
There are also now currently two frontrunners to step into the studio – Sara Cox and Vernon Kay.
The two BBC stalwarts are 3/1 apiece to replace Scott Mills on the Breakfast Show, while Rylan Clark (5/1) is just ahead of Clara Amfo and Gary Davies (both 6/1) to get the gig.
Roman Kemp is also currently an 8/1 shot, with Emma Willis and Jordan North each priced at 10/1 as things stand.
‘Neither are strangers to Radio 2, and the odds suggest it could well be a two-horse race between Vernon Kay and Sara Cox for the Breakfast Show gig,’ Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati has said.
Sara, 51, hosted a range of BBC Radio 1 shows from 1999 to 2014, including the breakfast show from April 2000 until December 2003.
She later joined Radio 2 and has presented its teatime show since 2019.
After Mills’ firing, she was also reported to be taking over his role in the BBC’s coverage of Eurovision. In recent years Mills has commentated the two semi-finals alongside Rylan Clark, but after news of his axing was announced, it seemed clear he would also no longer be involved in the song contest – which will be held in Vienna in May.
Odds on the next permanent host of BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show
Sara Cox – 3/1
Vernon Kay – 3/1
Rylan Clark – 5/1
Clara Amfo – 6/1
Gary Davies – 6/1
OJ Borg – 7/1
Greg James – 8/1
Roman Kemp – 8/1
Emma Willis – 10/1
Jordan North – 10/1
A source then told The Sun: ‘Sara and Rylan have now been formally put forward to cover the event following Scott’s departure.’
Meanwhile Vernon, also 51, presented his own BBC Radio 1 show between 2004 and 2012, and presented his own show on Radio X between 2015 and 2017.
In 2023 he took over as the mid-morning host on BBC Radio 2, a role previously held by Ken Bruce.
However, another name has also been considered as an option – with The Sun reporting that OJ Borg is in the running.
The presenter – full name Oliver James Borg D’Anastasi – currently hosts the BBC Radio 2 weekday overnight show.
‘Bosses want to choose someone who’s not the biggest name, but is well-liked at the station,’ a source said.
‘OJ is someone who has proven he can do the job. He ticks all the right boxes and could be the perfect fit – even though he’s not one of the top stars vying for the job, picking him may feel like a surprise choice, but it would be a clean slate for the breakfast show.’
The 47-year-old began his career on VH1 in 2005 and also hosted the National Lottery and EuroMillions shows on BBC One. He also produces and hosts a cycling podcast and a mixed martial arts podcast for the BBC. He joined Radio 2 in 2018.
Metro has contacted the BBC and representatives for Sara Cox, Vernon Kay and OJ Borg for comment.
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