Sara Cox has been announced as the new host of BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show.

The much-loved broadcaster, who currently presents the station’s teatime programme, will move to the flagship morning slot in the summer.

Sara said she was “ecstatic, honoured and incredibly chuffed” to be taking on the role, describing it as a dream she has had since joining Radio 2.

“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,” she said.

Speaking on her teatime show after the news was announced, Sara admitted the offer had briefly left her speechless.

“It takes quite a lot to make me speechless,” she said, “but when I got asked to host the Radio 2 breakfast show I was momentarily lost for words.”

Sara has hosted Radio 2’s teatime show since 2019 and described the past seven years as “an absolute blast”. She added that while she was sad to leave teatime behind, she was “absolutely buzzing” to take on breakfast.

“My energy has always been ‘waiting-in-the-wings gal’,” she said, “but I’m so glad it’s happening now, because I would not swap the last seven years of teatime for anything.”

Gary Davies has been presenting the breakfast show since Scott Mills left Radio 2 in March.

Scott hosted the programme for 14 months, having previously enjoyed a long and hugely successful career across BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2. His time on breakfast followed years as one of the BBC’s most recognisable and popular radio voices.

Sara’s appointment is a major moment for Radio 2. The breakfast show remains one of the most prestigious jobs in British radio and has previously been hosted by names including Sir Terry Wogan, Chris Evans, Zoe Ball and Scott Mills.

Sara will become only the second woman to host the Radio 2 breakfast show, following Zoe Ball.

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said Sara “thoroughly deserves this gig”, adding that her warmth, humour and strong relationship with listeners made her a natural fit for mornings.

Sara first became known to many listeners as host of the Radio 1 breakfast show in the early 2000s, before later joining Radio 2. She has also presented Sounds of the 80s, the weekday late-night show, and several BBC television programmes including Between The Covers and The Great Pottery Throw Down.

Last year, she raised £11.5 million for Children in Need by running 135 miles across the UK over five days.

When will Sara Cox start on Radio 2 Breakfast?

The BBC has not yet confirmed an exact start date, only saying Sara will take over the show this summer. Rumours suggest it could be 6th July after mentioning on-air her book – out on the 16th July – comes out a week after another major moment.

Gary Davies is expected to continue covering the breakfast slot in the meantime, with a replacement for the afternoon show yet to be announced.