recently expressed that he is “not worried” about the widespread perception concerning the representation of women among the presenters on Radio 2, particularly as he prepares to take over the breakfast show from .
signed off from her final broadcast on December 20 after an accomplished six-year tenure hosting the popular program.
As Scott Mills gears up for his debut as the new host, scheduled for Monday, January 27, he addressed concerns over the apparent shortage of female presenters, especially during the key morning slot.
In an interview with the Radio Times, he acknowledged the situation. Still, he emphasised that his breakfast show features two prominent women: Tina Daheley, the newsreader, and Ellie Brennan, responsible for traffic and travel updates.
By highlighting their presence on his team, Scott aims to contribute positively to the ongoing discourse about gender representation in broadcasting.
Scott Mills addressed the current BBC radio line-up. (Image: Getty)
In a recent statement, a member of the Radio 2 team noted the gender balance within the breakfast show lineup and emphasised the presence of female talent.
He remarked, “Also, half of the breakfast-show team – who sometimes you’ll hear on air and sometimes not – are also women,” firmly asserting that he feels no concern regarding representation within the team.
Currently, Radio 2 features a line-up with prominent personalities such as Scott Mills, Vernon Kay, and Jeremy Vine. These personalities are supported by various guest presenters who fill in for the early afternoon slot.
This segment runs until 4 p.m. when Sara Cox takes over. Jo Whiley will follow later in the evening. As part of an upcoming schedule change, Trevor Nelson will step into Scott’s former weekday afternoon slot, which airs from 2 to 4 p.m., effective next week.
Zoe Ball stepped down from BBC Radio 2 last year. (Image: Getty)
The new programming schedule, first revealed in November, introduces several exciting updates. Notably, the popular show hosted by Sophie Ellis-Bextor on Friday nights will now be extended to a two-hour format, allowing for more in-depth music and conversation.
Additionally, DJ Spoony will take over Nelson’s previous late-night slot from Monday to Thursday with his show, The Good Groove, which promises to deliver lively music and engaging content for those late-night listeners.
Furthermore, Scott shared an interesting tidbit about his career trajectory: Following Chris Moyles’s departure, he was “pretty much offered” the prestigious Radio 1 breakfast show.
This opportunity arose before Nick Grimshaw took the helm in 2012, indicating the high regard in which Scott is held within the industry.
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“Ultimately, they chose to pursue a different path,” he mentioned, reflecting on the decision-making process.
“They would likely have eventually placed Nick Grimshaw in that role anyway, so it’s worth considering what my time as the Radio 1 breakfast show host would have looked like. Would I have lasted a year? Maybe two at most?”
He expressed confidence about stepping into one of the most prominent positions in radio, stating, “I don’t find it daunting in the least to take over such a significant show. I am fully prepared for the challenge that lies ahead.”
He also highlighted the historical significance of the show, noting that Zoe was the first woman to take the reins of the breakfast program, succeeding Chris Evans in January 2019.