Sara Cox officially took over as host of BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show on Tuesday, beginning her tenure at 6:30 a.m. with a playlist that included tracks by Lizzo and CeCe Peniston. Cox’s appointment follows a turbulent period for the slot, which is Europe’s largest radio breakfast show with an average audience of 6.5 million listeners.

Cox, 51, had long sought the role, having expressed interest when Chris Evans departed in 2018. At that time, the position was awarded to Zoe Ball, with Cox joining the network’s drivetime show. Ball left the Breakfast Show in December 2024, and Scott Mills, formerly of Radio 1, was handed the reins. However, Mills’s tenure lasted just 14 months, ending abruptly in March after the BBC discovered that an alleged sexual misconduct case involving Mills, initially closed in 2019, included a complainant who was under 16. His sudden departure was marked by an unexpected replacement on-air by Gary Davies.

Cox, widely regarded as a trusted figure within the station, gained national recognition last year for her fundraising efforts for Children in Need, where she raised £11.5 million by running five marathons in five days. This background, along with her success on drivetime, positioned her as a reliable choice to stabilize the Breakfast Show.

Tuesday’s debut, however, drew mixed reactions. While Cox began with familiar fare and acknowledged Davies’s interim efforts, some industry observers viewed the episode as cautious rather than groundbreaking. The show included traditional segments such as “Pause for Thought,” as well as heavy travel updates, leading to critiques about its adherence to longstanding formats. New features like “Let’s Hear It for the Noise,” which invited listeners to identify audio clips, were introduced alongside “Kids in the Car,” a segment moved from the teatime slot. The innovation received a mixed response, leaving some questioning whether the changes were sufficient to refresh the program.

Cox’s presenting style was noted for its energy, though at times it appeared hurried and less polished compared to her earlier broadcasts. Some moments, such as uncertainty over a listener’s text comment, highlighted a need for stronger show preparation and clarity. Additionally, the inclusion of showtunes as part of her signature style seemed underdeveloped, lacking the context that previously resonated with her audience.

Despite a subdued start, Cox’s tenure is anticipated to bring continuity and professionalism to a show that has faced instability. Her deep experience at the station and public goodwill suggest she is well-positioned to meet audience expectations, though further adjustments may be required to fully establish her vision for the Breakfast Show.