Sara Cox is set to take over the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, the country's most prominent radio job, beginning July 6. The announcement follows the departure of Scott Mills, who was removed from his position after allegations of serious sexual offenses against a teenage boy under 16 surfaced.

This marks a significant career move for Cox, who has had a long-standing professional relationship with Mills. The two presenters have swapped roles in the past; Mills took over Cox's Radio 1 job when she went on maternity leave approximately twenty years ago. At that time, Cox was demoted from the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 2003 due to declining ratings, moving to Drivetime while Chris Moyles took over the breakfast slot. Six months into her maternity leave, Mills, who had been covering the Drivetime slot, was given the role permanently. Cox returned to a weekend afternoon slot, a position she felt was a demotion and came sooner than she desired after giving birth.

Cox, now 51, expressed her ambition at the time, stating she was disappointed but acknowledged that job swapping is common within BBC radio. She was also a contender for the Radio 2 Breakfast Show six years prior, but Zoe Ball ultimately secured the role, leaving Cox with the teatime slot.

Reflecting on past career shifts, Cox told The Sunday Times Magazine that quieter periods have sometimes been a blessing, allowing her to focus on parenting her young children. She described being able to manage school runs and develop a close relationship with London Zoo staff during that time.

Cox stated she is ready for the challenge of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, saying, "It's huge but I'm ready... the minute I open my mic, I'll be fine. I'm not nervous because I know I can do a good job. I don't want to sound arrogant but I've been doing radio for 28 years now."

Regarding Scott Mills' exit, Cox declined to comment on the allegations, stating, "I completely understand why you're asking but I know no more than you do about the whole thing." Cox and Mills have been friends and colleagues at the BBC for approximately three decades, having both started at Radio 1 in the late 1990s. Cox was a guest at Mills' and his husband Sam's wedding in 2024.

In April, BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine described Mills as a "very popular bloke" and noted that BBC management offered little explanation for his sacking. Vine contrasted Mills' situation with that of former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, who pleaded guilty in 2024 to making indecent images of children, characterizing Edwards as a "bully" and a private individual. Vine also shared that he had sent Mills a supportive message at the time of his dismissal.

In May, it was reported that Mills is suing the BBC for unfair dismissal. His legal team has been in communication with the corporation for weeks. Some of Mills' friends believe he was made a scapegoat by then-outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie, who adopted a zero-tolerance policy following a series of scandals involving other public figures.