The Newshound

Sara Cox lifts the Radio 2 breakfast audience to 6.44 million in her first months after Scott Mills was sacked

Sara Cox, who took over the Radio 2 breakfast slot permanently in July, has stabilised the show's audience at 6.44 million weekly listeners, up from 6.37 million under interim host Gary Davies.
Sara Cox, who took over the Radio 2 breakfast slot permanently in July, has stabilised the show's audience at 6.44 million weekly listeners, up from 6.37 million under interim host Gary Davies.

Sara Cox, 52, drew 6.44 million average weekly listeners between July and September, a 4% year-on-year rise, cementing Radio 2 as the UK's most listened-to station with 12.67 million weekly listeners overall. The strong debut comes amid reports that production staff were left "on edge" by Cox publicly naming colleagues on air when mistakes occurred. Cox dismissed the tension, saying she has "an incredible team" and "the best job in the world."

Mills was sacked by the BBC in March 2026 after the Metropolitan Police launched a 2016 investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy under 16.

Radio 4's 'Today' programme slipped to its lowest quarterly audience since 2021, dropping from 5.61 million to 5.29 million listeners.

BBC Sounds recorded 801 million plays in the same quarter, up 70% year-on-year, suggesting listeners are shifting to on-demand audio alongside live radio.

Moretheboltonnews.co.ukBolton’s Sara Cox gets ratings boost after taking over flagship showEvening StandardSara Cox praises 'incredible' Radio 2 team following 'tension' over on-air 'shaming'Yahoo News UKSara Cox holds on to Radio 2 breakfast listenersbbc.comBBC Radio remains UK’s favourite following a hot summer of music from BBC Proms, Radio 2 in the Park and a brand-new Radio 2 Breakfast Showmirror.co.ukSara Cox increases Radio 2 breakfast listeners after replacing Scott Mills as hostwheretowatch.tvSara Cox Boosts Radio 2 Breakfast Audience Following Scott Mills Exit - wheretowatch.tvThe IndependentBBC release Radio 2 breakfast listening figures for first months after Scott Mills sacking
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →