Sara Cox favourite to replace Simon Mayo in BBC Radio 2 drivetime slot

Sara Cox favourite to replace Simon Mayo in BBC Radio 2 drivetime slot

Sara Cox is the favourite to become the new presenter of rebranded BBC Radio 2 Drive following the departure of Simon Mayo.

The DJ has presented the show since 2010, but Mayo will vacate the 5-7pm slot to focus on writing commitments.

Cox was heavily tipped to take over from Chris Evans as presenter of the Breakfast Show, but lost out to Zoe Ball.

She is now the 6/4 favourite to fill the drivetime slot, with Claudia Winkleman, Graham Norton and Richard Madeley touted as possible presenters of a potentially rebranded show.

These are the odds on other contenders, according to bookmaker Paddy Power:

Mark Goodier – 6/1

Sir Terry Wogan death
Mark Goodier is the second favourite (Anthony Devlin/PA)

He has also worked on Class FM, Smooth Radio, and BBC Radio 1. He has experience in the drivetime slot, making him a potentially safe choice for producers.

Steve Wright – 8/1

Sony Radio Academy Awards – Grosvenor House Hotel
Steve Wright (Jane Mingay/PA)

Moving Wright from this slot to slightly later in the day would be a safe choice for producers, and the presenter is the third favourite.

Liza Tarbuck – 10/1

Tric Awards Liza Tarbuck
Liza Tarbuck receives her Satellite/Digital TV Personality of the Year award at the Television and Radio Industries Club (Tric) Awards in London. (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Claudia Winkleman – 12/1

Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards 2018 – London
Claudia Winkleman attending the Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards 2018 at London’s Royal Festival Hall (Ian West/PA)

Another Radio 2 talent, she could be reassigned to a more regular weekday slot.

Richard Madeley – 16/1

Royal Television Society Programme Awards 2016 – London
Richard Madeley attending the 2016 Royal Television Society Programme Awards (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Nick Grimshaw – 16/1

Nick Grimshaw last BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show
Nick Grimshaw presenting his final Radio 1 Breakfast show (Mark Allan/PA)

The BBC could potentially change his station and maintain the presenter’s role as a drivetime host.

Graham Norton – 33/1

Graham Norton interview
Graham Norton (Ian West/PA)

However, TV commitments might make it less likely that he will be able to take on regular weekday shows.

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –