Sara Cox made her debut as the new host of BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show on Monday morning, opening with Lizzo's 'About Damn Time' as a playful nod to her takeover. The 51-year-old DJ admitted feeling 'clingy' and asked listeners to 'show some love' during her first broadcast.
Cox Replaces Scott Mills After Abrupt Departure
Cox was announced as the permanent successor to Scott Mills in April, following his abrupt firing in March over allegations regarding his 'personal conduct'. Mills, 53, was dismissed by the BBC shortly before it emerged that the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into him in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000.
Since Mills' departure, Gary Davies had been hosting the breakfast slot. Cox paid tribute to Davies on air, saying: 'For the past few months, a legend has been doing breakfast, and we can't not say thank you to him this morning. He was parachuted in. He did a proper shift. The one, the only, you love him, Mr Gary Davies.'
Nervous Start with Football Excitement
Cox also played 'Three Lions' by David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and The Lightning Seeds following England's World Cup match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, which was a tense affair for fans. She read out well-wishes from listeners, encouraging them to keep texting throughout the show. 'It is a Monday,' Cox said. 'It's my first show, and your favourite DJ, me feeling a little bit clingy, as per, and I want some love.'
Fellow DJ Joe Ball revealed on the 'Dig It' podcast with Jo Whiley that Cox 'hates' hearing good luck messages. Ball said: 'I just wanted to send her all the love and wish her so much luck with that. She's going to be brilliant, I keep having people running into me saying "Oh wow, we're looking forward to Sara". So I just want to say good luck Sara. I know she hates people saying good luck to her, but I'm saying it anyway.' Whiley added: 'She has wanted it for a long time, she'll nail it.'
Husband's Spoiler Woes and First Guest
Cox recounted her husband Ben Cyzer's attempt to watch England match highlights without spoilers, but a football fan shouting the final score ruined his plans. She also played songs by Olivia Rodrigo, Queen, and CeCe Peniston before introducing her first guest, Hollywood actor Tom Hanks.
Cox previously hosted Radio 2's weekday teatime slot (4pm-7pm) and now takes over the breakfast slot (6.30am-9.30am). Listeners can tune in on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
