Sara Cox to become new host of BBC Radio 2's Drivetime
Cox will replace Jo Whiley and Simon Mayo's short-lived show, while Trevor Nelson will move to a late-night slot
Sara Cox is set to take over as the new host of BBC Radio 2's Drivetime show, following the news that duo Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley would be ending their short-lived partnership.
The move comes as part of one of the station's biggest shake-ups in several years, with Zoe Ball set to replace the departing Chris Evans in the breakfast slot, and Trevor Nelson moving into Cox's current 10pm-midnight show.
Whiley is also set to move to a new time slot, presenting a new music show between 7-9pm from Monday to Thursday.
- Simon Mayo to leave Radio 2 after 17 years
- "Jo was the only presenter I could imagine working with" – Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley prepare to co-present after Radio 2 shake up
Taking to social media to announce the move, Cox said it was a "dream job", and pledged to play fantastic music for her listeners.
"The opportunity to present such a big show as Drivetime – playing fantastic music and hopefully making people smile as they cook tea or head home after a day's graft – is the icing on what is already a very brilliant cake," she said.
It has not yet been confirmed when she will take up the role.
The decision to add Whiley as co-host to Mayo's Drivetime show prompted significant backlash from a set of devoted fans, with ire directed predominantly at the female presenter.
Whiley addressed this criticism in an Instagram post on Sunday, saying that the criticism made it "hard to walk out of the front door".
"The last six months have been quite something, I couldn't have tried harder or cared more about the show Simon and I did together," she wrote. "Some of the stuff that's been said on social media has meant that some days it was hard to walk out my front door, let alone present a radio show."
"But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger etcetc. Onwards and upwards!"
Mayo also addressed the issue last week as he announced his departure from the station he has called home for 17 years.
"Maybe it needs to be said, maybe not but so there is no room for argument I'll be clear," he tweeted. "I've loved working with the exceptional Jo Whiley and when the show was 'reconfigured' she was my first and only choice. Some of the abuse she has had here has been appalling. Support for a new show is one thing, assaulting the dignity of a warm-hearted and loyal friend is another."
