Sara Cox's tenure as the host of BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show has coincided with a rise in listening figures, according to the latest RAJAR report. During the period of July to September, the show averaged 6.4 million listeners, an increase from the 6.1 million who tuned in during the same months in 2025 when Scott Mills was at the helm.
These figures place Cox's show on par with the audience numbers Mills achieved during his 14-month period as host. Mills was removed from the air in March amid allegations of sexual misconduct involving an under-age individual. Reports suggest that listening figures had already seen a slight dip in his final months on air. Gary Davies, who covered the show as a stand-in presenter from April to July before Cox took over, also saw a slight drop in figures during his time.
Despite the positive listening figures, reports have emerged of tensions within the production team. Some staff members have reportedly felt "uncomfortable and on edge" due to Cox's on-air practice of calling out mistakes and naming those responsible, a practice described by one source as "unfair and not part of the team spirit." A BBC spokesperson stated that live radio benefits from spontaneity and that Cox's "warm, lively presenting style and great relationship with the breakfast team are genuine," attributing the audience's engagement to this authentic chemistry.
Cox herself has praised her team, describing them as a "brilliant bunch of people" and a "great team." She has been with the BBC for 26 years, previously hosting the Drivetime slot for seven years before taking over the Breakfast Show.
Elsewhere in BBC radio, Vernon Kay's mid-morning slot remains the most popular radio show in the UK, attracting 6.8 million listeners. Radio 2 as a whole has grown its weekly audience to 12.7 million listeners, making it the UK's most popular single radio station. In contrast, Radio 4 has experienced a drop in listeners, with 232,000 tuning out in the last quarter. The station's flagship Today programme also saw a decrease, falling from 5.6 million to 5.2 million listeners. These figures for Radio 4 come amid reports of budget cuts, which include a reduction in permanent Today presenters and the axing of consumer and social affairs shows. A BBC spokesperson for Radio 4 noted that the station remains the UK's leading speech radio station and that its programmes continue to attract significant audiences on BBC Sounds, reflecting "extraordinary talent, world class journalism and compelling storytelling across the network."