Scott Mills is gearing up to take the helm of BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show, stepping directly from the afternoon slot to fill the shoes of Zoe Ball, who recently announced her departure after six impactful years. Mills, who is no stranger to the BBC, will kick off his new role on January 27, embracing the fresh challenges it brings.
After Ball's announcement last November, it became clear the competition was fierce for this coveted slot. Mills, who has been part of the BBC Radio family for over 25 years, expressed confidence about embracing this new chapter. "I'm at the exact point in my life where I should be doing a breakfast show. It definitely wasn't 15 years ago because I really enjoyed going out and those two don't necessarily go together compared to my current settled life with my husband, Sam Vaughan," Mills told Radio Times Magazine.
The transition to early mornings, waking up at 4 AM during the week, is undoubtedly one of the hurdles Mills faces. Yet, he seems prepared for the commitment, driven by the love for his work. He reflected emotionally on securing this major role, recalling how he broke down with tears of joy. "I cried in my dressing gown and Sam was upstairs, I said, 'Sam, come downstairs, come downstairs.' And, yeah, I fully sobbed," he shared with The Mirror, highlighting the gravity of this opportunity.
Mills' first show will mark the beginning of what he hopes will be a listener-centric approach to breakfast radio. "It will be energetic, it will be fun, and it will be listener-inclusive. When you’re listening, I want you to feel the listeners are running the conversation," he explained, emphasizing the importance of mood and hand-picked music.
His past experience with BBC Radio 1 has fortified his ability to connect with audiences, but it's hard not to compare his new salary with Ball's previous earnings. Last year, it was reported Ball earned approximately £950,000 annually, second only to the BBC’s highest-paid star, Gary Lineker. Meanwhile, Mills previously earned around £315,000, and discussions about his new salary have sparked curiosity as he reportedly may receive £450,000.
Mills, addressing potential skepticism from the public about his pay, asserted: "It's not like some hotshot's turned up and is earning all this cash. No one likes discussing money. But I don’t think you can say I haven’t played the long game. I’ve been doing this since I was 16 and I’ll tell you how much I got paid then - £20 a show. And it was a five-hour show from 1 AM to 6 AM. I hope people won’t think, 'Well, he hasn’t worked very hard for this,' because I’ve worked for this my whole life,” he reiterated during his conversation with The Sun.
The emotional weight of his new role and the comparisons to the previous host resonate deeply with listeners. Mills, reflecting on his career, shared his initial disappointment about not landing the Radio 1 Breakfast Show years ago, pondering, "Well, I was kind of having a real reflective moment of like, 'Well, I never got The Radio 1 Breakfast Show, but then would I be where I am now?"
Now, as he prepares to step away from the afternoon slot, maintaining his fan base and building upon it has never been more important. He expressed his desire to create relatable and engaging content, acknowledging the 6.3 million listeners tuned to Radio 2's flagship show. "Breakfast radio is a mood, and if you get the mood right, and it's quite a skill, then you’re going to do well," Mills declared, setting clear expectations for his debut.
Prior to his departure, Zoe Ball had her emotional farewell, expressing gratitude to her listeners. "We've had some tears already. We don't quite know what to do with ourselves this morning, do we?" she stated during her last show, underscoring the bittersweet nature of her exit and the nuances of the broadcasting life.
With Mills stepping up, the future of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show appears promising, blending his vast experience and new enthusiasm to resonate within the hearts of returning and new listeners alike. Though there will inevitably be challenges, it is clear Mills is ready to embrace them head-on.