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

Presenter Sara Cox has confirmed her new BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show will launch on July 6 at 6:30 AM, featuring Hollywood star Tom Hanks as her inaugural guest. The 51-year-old made the announcement while appearing on fellow presenter Vernon Kay's Radio 2 programme, revealing details about the format and high-profile opening interview three weeks before air date.

Cox disclosed the news during an appearance on Kay's mid-morning show, where she also participated in a quiz segment against Jeremy Vine. The presenter expressed her enthusiasm about the upcoming role, noting she had maintained secrecy about the launch date by cryptically referring to "summer" timing. "There's been quite a lot of mystery about when the brand new Sara Cox Breakfast Show begins on BBC Radio 2," she explained, before confirming the specific date and time to listeners.

Tom Hanks, known for his role as Woody in the Toy Story franchise, will sit down with Cox to discuss his involvement in the upcoming Toy Story 5 film. The Oscar-winning actor's appearance represents a significant get for the new programme's debut, signalling the broadcaster's investment in securing prominent entertainment figures for exclusive interviews. Cox humorously acknowledged the challenge of the early 6:30 AM start time, quipping that she would need 42 alarm clocks to ensure punctuality.

Format and Programming

The BBC indicated that Cox's new breakfast programme will retain elements from her previous afternoon slot on Radio 2, incorporating familiar segments listeners enjoyed while introducing fresh content designed specifically for morning audiences. The show promises to feature games, interactive listener participation, and conversations with major entertainment and cultural figures. Cox will broadcast from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM, occupying the station's primary breakfast time slot.

Cox replaced Scott Mills in the breakfast host position following his departure from the broadcaster in March. The transition represents a significant shift in BBC Radio 2's morning programming strategy, with the corporation emphasizing listener engagement and entertainment value as central elements of the revamped show's identity.