Sara Cox launched her tenure as BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host this morning, stepping into the role vacated by Scott Mills following his dismissal earlier this year.
The 51-year-old presenter kicked off her first programme at 6:31 am with Lizzo's About Damn Time, which she playfully dismissed as coincidental.
"No message in the music, don't be silly! No, come on, that's too self-indulgent!" she joked on air.
Hollywood star Tom Hanks appeared as her debut guest, discussing his upcoming film Toy Story 5.
Mr Mills was dismissed by the BBC earlier this year following a historic police investigation
| BBCMs Cox also spun tracks including Finally by CeCe Peniston, Don't Stop Me Now by Queen, and Stupid Song by Olivia Rodrigo.
The veteran broadcaster moved from her previous teatime slot, which she had hosted for seven years.
While Ms Cox was making her debut, her predecessor's husband appeared to take a pointed dig at the BBC.
Sam Vaughan, 37, who rarely posts on social media, shared an image of the couple's Cavapoo puppy Teddy on Instagram during the broadcast.
Mr Mills and husband Sam Vaughan married in 2024 after more than two decades together
|GETTY
The photograph showed their television screen clearly displaying Heart FM's breakfast show rather than Radio 2.
The timing of the post was notable given it coincided with Ms Cox's first morning in the presenter's chair.
Mr Mills himself has remained silent about his former colleague taking over the breakfast slot.
The pair had been friends for decades, having both joined the BBC during the 1990s.
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Sara Cox made her debut as host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show
| GETTYMs Cox had attended Mr Mills and Mr Vaughan's wedding two years ago and posted heart emojis on their anniversary following his departure from the corporation.
Mr Mills, 53, was sacked by the BBC in March after details emerged of a historic police investigation.
The Metropolitan Police had launched an inquiry in 2016 into allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy aged under 16, with the alleged incidents occurring between 1997 and 2000.
Mr Mills subsequently released a statement confirming that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges against him.
Mr Vaughan shared a photo showing Heart FM playing during Sara Cox's debut
|His dismissal extended beyond Radio 2, with the corporation also removing him from Eurovision coverage and a planned podcast spin-off from Race Across The World, which he had won the celebrity edition of in 2024.
The former presenter is believed to be pursuing legal action against the BBC over his sacking, reportedly left furious by the decision.
Ms Cox had long coveted the breakfast position, having previously missed out when Zoe Ball was appointed to the role before Mills.
The pair won the second series of Celebrity Race Across the World
| BBCBBC executives moved swiftly to secure her services following Mr Mills' departure, with a source stating at the time: "This is something the BBC have always had lined up for her and she could not be more excited to take on the role."
Upon her appointment in April, Ms Cox expressed her delight: "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."
Gary Davies had been presenting the breakfast programme since March, with Ms Cox thanking the "legend" who was "parachuted in" following Mills' sudden exit.