Sara Cox will replace Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show

Sara Cox has been named the new host of BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show.

The 51-year-old broadcaster will move from her current 4-7pm Teatime slot to the morning 6.30am-9.30am show this summer following the sudden sacking of Scott Mills last month.

Sara admitted she feels "ecstatic, honoured, and incredibly chuffed" to have landed the coveted job.

She said in a statement: “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.

"I’ve had the most glorious seven years of my career on Teatime so thank you to my brilliant Teatime listeners who hopefully will join me at Breakfast for excellent music and all my usual nonsense plus some superstar guests.

"I honestly can’t wait to wake the nation up with the biggest most fun breakfast show ever.”

BBC Radio 2 bosses are confident Sara - who moved across to the station from BBC Radio 1 - will do a great job on the Breakfast Show.

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 said: “I'm delighted that Sara Cox will be the new host of the prestigious Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

"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.

"She captured the hearts of the country last November, raising a staggering £11.5m for Children in Need on her Great Northern Marathon Challenge and thoroughly deserves this gig. I can't wait to hear her first show.”

The replacement presenter for Sara's weekday 4-7pm slot will be announced in due course.

Listeners were left stunned on 30 March when it was announced Scott had been sacked, days after he was abruptly taken off air.

It later emerged the 53-year-old DJ had been investigated by police over alleged sexual offences involving a boy under the age of 16 back in 2018, but the case was closed in 2019 because "the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges".

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said in a statement to the Mirror newspaper: "In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.

"The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

"As part of these enquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

"A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019."

It has not been confirmed if Mills' dismissal from his role at the company is linked to the previous police investigation.

The BBC said in a statement: "While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC."