Sara Cox Launches BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on July 6 with Tom Hanks as First Guest

Sara Cox's new BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show launches on July 6 at 6:30am, featuring Hollywood actor Tom Hanks as its inaugural guest to discuss Toy Story 5. The 51-year-old presenter takes over the morning slot from Scott Mills, with a refreshed format combining segments from her previous teatime programme alongside new breakfast content.

New Presenting Team Confirmed

The BBC has confirmed the supporting cast for Cox's expanded role. Ellie Brennan will continue providing travel updates, while Matt Carter transitions to deliver regular news bulletins throughout the show. Carter's appointment follows the departure of Tina Daheley, who announced her exit from the role this week. The weekday broadcast will run from 6:30am to 9:30am, with producers Patrick Thomas and Anthony Dunning overseeing production for BBC Audio.

Listener-Focused Format

Cox previously hosted the Radio 2 Teatime Show on weekdays until June 12, when she took a short break ahead of the breakfast show launch. The corporation has emphasised that listeners will remain central to the new programme's design, with studio guests regularly joining Cox alongside the Tom Hanks premiere episode. Cox expressed enthusiasm about the transition, describing the breakfast slot as a personal milestone and inviting audiences to join her for what she characterised as a historic morning launch.

Background Context

The breakfast show vacancy arose following Scott Mills' departure earlier this year. The Metropolitan Police investigation into Mills, initiated in 2016 regarding allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenager under 16 between 1997 and 2000, preceded the BBC's decision to move him from the slot. Cox's appointment in April marked her progression to one of the broadcaster's most prominent daytime positions, capitalising on her established audience from the afternoon schedule.