Sara favourite to fill drivetime seat
SARA Cox is the bookies’ favourite to take over from Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley on the BBC Radio 2 drivetime show.
The Bolton broadcaster, who currently presents a show on the station between 10pm and midnight Monday to Thursday, is hotly tipped to become the new 5pm to 8pm weekday presenter.
Sara was previously heavily linked with replacing Chris Evans when he leaves the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show at the end of this year, having presented the Radio One breakfast show between 2000 and 2003. The job went to her friend Zoe Ball, who will become the programme’s first woman host.
Fellow Radio 2 presenter Dermot O’Leary said: “Sad to hear Simon Mayo is leaving Radio 2. Always been a supportive friend, brilliant broadcaster, and great company. With nat treasure Jo Whiley heading to evenings. Drive time has to go to Sara Cox.”
One fan tweeted to Sara: “Got to be you for the drive home show, got to salvage something after the disappointment of you not getting the brekkie show.”
Another said: “You’re looking at the new drivetime presenter right there!” A third wrote: “Seeing as you didn’t listen to the audience for breakfast, could we please have the hugely talented Sara Cox for drivetime? She is wasted on nights.”
And another fan suggested: “The only tidy ending to this sorry mess is Sara Cox taking over drivetime.”
It was announced that Simon has decided to leave Radio 2 later this year and co-host Jo will launch a new show at the station in January from 7 to 9pm, Monday to Thursday.
Mayo has hosted the drivetime show since 2010 and Jo was added to the slot in May, prompting a backlash from some listeners.
Addressing the criticism, Mayo tweeted: “Some of the abuse she has had here has been appalling. Support for a show is one thing, assaulting the dignity of a warmhearted and loyal friend is another.”
He added: “So by all means discuss what’s happening here, but let’s keep some civility. Thank you.”
Mayo will continue to work with the BBC on the 5 Live film show he co-presents with Mark Kermode.