Sara Cox is reportedly being lined up to get the job presenting BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show following Scott Mills’s departure from the role.
The 51-year-old broadcaster, who previously hosted the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, is said to be viewed internally as a leading candidate for the slot, having built a strong following with her current drivetime programme.
She has also stepped in as a stand-in presenter for the breakfast show in the past.
According to reports, Cox is expected to be offered the position later this year, though the BBC is not expected to make an immediate decision.
A source told The Sun: “Sara is the heir apparent for the Breakfast Show job. 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.
“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.”
Cox is also understood to be in line to take over presenting duties for the BBC’s Eurovision coverage.
A BBC spokesperson told The Standard: “Further news on a permanent replacement will follow in due course.” The Standard has also contacted Sara Cox’s rep for comment.
Mills left the station last month after it emerged he had previously been the subject of allegations relating to serious sexual offences involving a minor.
The claims, which relate to the period between 1997 and 2000, were investigated by police, with Mills questioned under caution in 2018.
The 53-year-old allegedly stayed in contact with the boy for years until around 2006. The investigation was dropped due to lack of evidence.
He has since spoken out about his firing, reiterating that the police probe was closed seven years ago and asking the public to “respect my wish not to make any further comment”.
Elsewhere, Mills was spotted looking solemn as he broke cover in his first public outing since being fired from the BBC.
On Wednesday, the broadcaster was seen for the first time since his exit from the BBC, going for a dog walk with his husband Sam Vaughan near their Hertfordshire home.
The pair went incognito in caps and sunglasses and wore casual outfits as they headed out with their dog Teddy, in photos obtained by The Sun.
Mills was taken off the radio by the BBC last month before his firing over allegations related to his "personal conduct".
The BBC confirmed it knew in 2017 about the police investigation into Mills but “acted decisively” to sack him after receiving “new information” in recent weeks.
It is not clear whether bosses knew of the alleged victim’s age in 2017, but current managers took the decision to sack Mills after learning they had been under 16, BBC News reported.
The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into Mills in 2016.
He was questioned in 2018 and the case was closed in 2019 after prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.
Since his firing, he has lost a series of job opportunities including being replaced as the host of the Race Across The World podcast and has been removed from episodes of Top Of The Pops.
He was also pulled from supporting Boyzone’s concerts this summer and a Great British Bake Off celebrity episode featuring him has been removed.
Additionally, he no longer has his regular £190,000 gig in pantomime, having previously appeared in Jack and the Beanstalk shows across the UK.
Mills has said of his firing: “Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed 7 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.
“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.”
