The BBC Radio 2 star revealed all as she congratulated new Strictly Come Dancing hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
Sara Cox was recently announced as the new BBC Radio 2 Breakfast host(Image: BBC)
Sara Cox has revealed she went for the Strictly Come Dancing job after being offered the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast gig, and has given an insight into what it was like to audition for the role.
The Bolton-born broadcaster revealed on Tuesday (May 19) that she had put herself forward for the BBC’s coveted Saturday night entertainment role as she congratulated Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe as they were announced as the new Strictly hosts.
The presenter, comedian and professional dancer will host the show as a trio in a first for the popular programme in its 22-year history, as they replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The news was shared on the show’s Instagram page with the caption: “It’s official…September 2026.”
Speculation over who would replace Tess and Claudia has been rife since they announced their departure in October 2025, while it was at the end of Strictly’s 23rd series in December that they officially bowed out of their long-running roles.
Josh, Emma and Johannes have been announced as Strictly’s new presenting team(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Among the names lined up to take over were Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Alison Hammond, Bradley Walsh, Amanda Holden and Angela Scanlon. Speaking about putting her own hat in the ring, Sara said on her Radio 2 Teatime show: “A massive congratulations to Emma, and to Josh, and to JoJo, the new hosting trio of Strictly!
“Am I allowed to say now? Everyone’s going to be saying it. Are we allowed to say now? Everyone can say now, can’t they? It’s fine. I tried out for Strictly. Ah! And I will say, I tried out for it two days after I got offered my number one, all-time dream job of the Radio 2 Breakfast show.
“So I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll go along and try for Strictly as well! Why not? And then, what next, News at 10?’ So I went along and it was just the most gorgeous experience. I got into a car that was taking me to a secret destination. It was all hush hush and it was basically a bit like, you know when you can go and play the Crystal Maze interactive game? It was like that. I was like, ‘Great, I’m going to be a Strictly presenter for an hour!’ The whole thing was really great fun and I think Emma, Josh and JoJo are going to be magnificent! Well done to them. Excellent work all. I’m pleased now for all the gossip and all the WhatsApp groups can calm the heck down going, ‘Who is it?'”
It comes after Sara was announced as the new Radio 2 Breakfast host following Scott Mills’ sacking. The DJ, 51, who currently hosts the teatime show on the station from 4pm to 7pm, will take over the role in the summer.
She said when the news was announced last month: “There are not enough adjectives to really sum up how I’m feeling about being trusted with such an iconic show but let’s start with ecstatic, honoured and incredibly chuffed. It’s been a dream to host the Breakfast Show since I joined Radio 2 and it feels like a bit of a full circle for me.
“I’ve had the most glorious seven years of my career on Teatime so thank you to my brilliant Teatime listeners who hopefully will join me at Breakfast for excellent music and all my usual nonsense plus some superstar guests. I honestly can’t wait to wake the nation up with the biggest most fun breakfast show ever.”
