The BBC has moved swiftly in replacing Scott Mills as the presenter of one of the UK’s biggest radio shows following his shock exit last month.

Sara Cox, one of Radio 2’s most beloved presenters, will move from drivetime to the breakfast show later this summer. It follows Mills being ruthlessly fired over historical misconduct allegations.

Cox said: “There are not enough adjectives to really sum up how I’m feeling about being trusted with such an iconic show but let’s start with ecstatic, honoured and incredibly chuffed. It’s been a dream to host the Breakfast Show since I joined Radio 2 and it feels like a bit of a full circle for me.”

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, added: “Sara is adored by her millions of listeners at Teatime, and having regularly deputised in the slot, I already know she’ll build a brilliant rapport with the Breakfast audience and get the nation going each morning with her trademark warmth and humour.”

Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to single radio station, with a weekly audience of 12.7M.

Mills was fired by the BBC after the corporation received new information relating to a police investigation over alleged historical sexual offences.

The police investigation concerned events between 1997 and 2000, and reportedly related to allegations concerning a boy under the age of 16, the legal age of consent in the UK. Mills was 23–24 years old in 1997. Prosecutors ultimately determined there was not enough evidence to press charges.

In a statement earlier this month, Mills confirmed the investigation, but did not deny wrongdoing. Mills said: “The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation. In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me,”

“An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018. As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.”

At the time, the BBC said: “Scott Mills had a long career across the BBC, he was hugely popular and we know the news this week has come as a shock and surprise to many.

“We also recognise there’s been much speculation in the media and online since Monday. We hope people understand that there is a limit to what we can say because we have to be mindful of the rights of those involved.

“What we can confirm is that in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him. As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values and terminated his contracts on Friday, 27 March.”