After 28 years in broadcasting, Sara Cox has officially launched her tenure as the host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. The debut, which aired on Monday, July 6, successfully transitioned her upbeat presenting style from teatime to the 6:30 am slot.
The launch was bolstered by a high-profile guest appearance from Hollywood actor Tom Hanks. During the interview, the pair discussed the upcoming Toy Story 5, with Hanks sharing insights into the film’s exploration of children’s relationship with technology and traditional play. The actor also offered personal reflections on his own efforts to avoid digital distraction, noting that he removes web browsers from his mobile devices to maintain focus.
In a poignant moment during the broadcast, Cox shared a listener story regarding how the Toy Story films helped two non-verbal children develop communication skills. Hanks responded with a heartfelt message, delivering a line in his iconic Woody character voice to the young fans, concluding the interview by telling the host, “You’ve got a friend in me.”
Cox’s first show maintained several popular features from her previous program, such as “Kids in a Car,” while introducing new segments like “Let’s Hear it For the Noise.” The BBC confirmed the shift follows the departure of former host Scott Mills. Cox opened the show with tracks by Lizzo and Cece Peniston, signaling a fresh start for the station’s flagship morning program.