Sara Cox is reportedly being lined up as the leading candidate to take over Scott Mills’ old Radio 2 breakfast slot — and the reaction from listeners has been swift, fierce and deeply divided.
The BBC has yet to officially confirm who will permanently replace Scott following his abrupt exit from the station last month. Gary Davies is currently filling in on a temporary basis, but behind the scenes, attention has already turned to who could become the long-term new voice of the flagship morning show.
According to reports, Sara is now seen by many inside Radio 2 as the natural successor. One insider claimed, “Sara is the heir apparent for the Breakfast Show job. 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.”
The source went on to praise her track record, saying, “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.” They added that BBC bosses are unlikely to move too quickly, explaining, “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.”
Sara has been a familiar face and voice across the BBC since the 1990s, building a long-standing career on both radio and television. On paper, she may look like a safe and experienced choice. But for many listeners, this is not simply about who is qualified for the role.
The anger appears to be rooted in the wider fallout surrounding Scott’s departure. After he was removed from Radio 2, reports emerged of past allegations and questions over how earlier concerns had been handled. The controversy has continued to hang over the broadcaster, and some fans are still furious over the way the situation was dealt with.
As a result, the prospect of naming a replacement so soon has not gone down well with everyone. Social media quickly filled with frustrated responses, with one listener writing, “Oh please, what a nerve. No shade to Sara Cox, lovely woman but you don’t toss Scott Mills out with zero evidence, after the police brought no charges, then expect us to clap for a replacement. It’s not a line-up change, it’s a botched job. Fix your mess and bring him back!!”
Others were equally unimpressed. One person fumed, “Ffs save a few quid and use an intern they might be good,” while another argued, “Urgh. Can’t we just keep Gary Davis? At least I might be able to listen to drive time again.”
So while Sara may be viewed internally as the strongest option, the public reaction suggests the BBC could be walking into yet another storm. For now, no final decision has been announced — but the backlash has already begun.
