Following Scott Mills’ sacking from the Radio 2 Breakfast Show last month, BBC bosses are reportedly eyeing up a potential star to replace him
Scott was taken off air last week(Image: PA)
BBC bosses are poised to offer the Radio 2 Breakfast Show job to a familiar voice in the wake of Scott Mills being sacked, it has been claimed.
The 53-year-old was axed last month before details emerged of a police investigation launched in 2016, over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000. Following the news of Mills’ shock departure, a string of names have been linked to his job, including Vernon Kay and OJ Borg, but a replacement has yet to be announced.
According to reports, Sara Cox, 51, is regarded as the “heir apparent” and is expected to be offered the title later in the year.
(Image: w8media)
“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,” an insider told the Sun. “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.
“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.”
When approached, a BBC spokesperson told the Mirror : “Further news on a permanent replacement will follow in due course.”
Could Sara Cox be next in line for the top Radio 2 job?(Image: BBC)
Cox has not addressed the speculation publicly. She joined the BBC back in 1999 and took over from Zoe Ball on Radio 1 Breakfast the following year. More than a decade later, she moved over to Radio 2 to cover Hot Gossip before landing the Sounds of the 80s show.
The reports come after Mills was seen for the first time since his sacking, joined by his husband Sam Vaughan, as they walked their dog near their home.
His lucrative contract was terminated after bosses learned the full extent of a police investigation into him. He was interviewed by police under caution over accusations of serious sexual offences against a boy under the age of 16.
Mills previously shared a statement over the reports, which read: “I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss.
(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Owen Scurfield)
“The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation. In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me.
“An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence, which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully co-operated and responded to in 2018.”
