Sara Cox insisted that she isn’t nervous about replacing Scott Mills on Radio 2’s Breakfast Show, ahead of her debut in just a few days.
The 51-year-old was announced as the new host in April, and bid farewell to her drivetime show earlier this month, amid preparations for her new role.
In a new interview, before her first show on July 6 – where she will be joined by Tom Hanks – Cox touched on her predecessor’s exit, and explained that she felt “ready” for a new challenge before landing the coveted slot.
“It’s huge but I’m ready,” the radio icon declared. “I might have to bury my phone in my neighbour’s sandpit a couple of days before because I don’t like people texting me good luck, but the minute I open my mic, I’ll be fine.
View 3 ImagesSara’s first show will be on July 6(Image: BBC)
“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.”
“I think if you’re ambitious, you always want to do the next big thing,” she continued to the Times. “After seven years on a show that I absolutely love, that I give 100% to every day, I was starting to feel ready for another challenge.
“I was ready for something new and a bit scary because I quite like that feeling.”
Cox was announced as the new Breakfast Show host following Mills’ exit in March. BBC bosses terminated his contract after learning the full extent of a police investigation into him.
The 53-year-old was interviewed by police in 2018 under caution after being accused of serious sexual offences against a boy under the age of 16. A full file was sent to the CPS, who said there was not enough evidence to charge him.
The broadcaster has previously said that they knew about the investigation but that “new information” came to light which sources claim was the fact the accuser was under 16.
When asked about his axing, Cox simply added: “I know no more than you do about the whole thing.”
View 3 ImagesScott Mills was sacked from BBC Radio 2 earlier this year(Image: BBC/Owen Scurfield)
This comes after the Mirror exclusively revealed that Mills had enlisted top lawyers to lodge a case against BBC, and was set to sue for unfair dismissal over his exit.
It is understood he will claim that he disclosed the full details of the cop probe – including the accuser’s age – to Radio 1 bosses at the time.
Following his departure, he previously issued a statement via lawyers thanking his well-wishers. It 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.
“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.” He added: “Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.”
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