Sara Cox has been lauded by critics for her first broadcast as host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Monday, with many praising her energetic and playful style. Cox, 51, took over the coveted slot following the departure of Scott Mills.
Reviewers noted Cox's introduction, which featured Lizzo's "About Damn Time" as the opening track. She acknowledged the 28-year wait to host the show, telling listeners, "No message in the music, don’t be silly! No, come on, that's too self-indulgent." She later closed her first show with Natalie Cole’s "Wild Women Do."
The Telegraph awarded her four out of five stars, describing her performance as bringing "confidence, chaos and a welcome sense of mischief to Britain’s biggest radio slot." Critic Chris Bennion characterized the three-hour show as "hectic, uplifting pure, unadulterated Cox. Bit spiky, bit rude, a lot of fun." He also observed that while she displayed nerves, it manifested in a charmingly chaotic presenting style.
The Independent gave Cox five stars, referring to her as the "new queen of breakfast radio." The publication highlighted her fun interview with actor Tom Hanks, who was promoting his new film. Hanks' appearance included him doing his best Woody voice to deliver a message to two young fans.
However, The Times offered a more tempered review, awarding three stars. The critic, while praising Cox as a "quick-witted, Bolton-raised" broadcaster, found her tone "a little too frenetic" with "syntax sometimes garbled." The review questioned the show's structure, stating it "didn't feel a full English" and lacked sufficient introduction to its elements.
Inews, conversely, found Cox's show "refreshing" and "mischievous and human," noting her ability to be both light and sincere without being sycophantic.
Cox's appointment follows the sacking of Scott Mills in April. Mills was dismissed after allegations of sexual offenses against a teenage boy under 16 came to light. The BBC had been aware of the allegations since 2017, and Mills was questioned by police in 2018, though the case was rejected by the Crown Prosecution Service in 2019 due to a lack of evidence. Daily Mail reported in May that Mills is suing the BBC for unfair dismissal, with his legal team engaged in correspondence with the corporation. Sources close to Mills suggest he feels he was made a "scapegoat" and is seeking to clear his name.