Tina Daheley is stepping away from her role as the newsreader for BBC Radio 2's breakfast show, a position she has held for seven impactful years. This comes just weeks before Sara Cox takes the helm of the morning program, following the controversial exit of Scott Mills earlier this year.
The announcement, made during a live broadcast on Tuesday, signifies the end of an 18-year era of early mornings for Daheley, who has been a familiar voice on multiple prominent breakfast shows, including those hosted by Chris Moyles, Nick Grimshaw, Zoe Ball, and Trevor Nelson. Reflecting on her time, Daheley described the experience as among the “greatest privileges” of her life.
Though leaving the breakfast shift, Daheley intends to remain with BBC Radio 2, stepping in as a substitute for Jeremy Vine's lunchtime show. In her heartfelt Instagram post, she stated, “After more than seven years of early alarm calls on Radio 2, I’m stepping away from Radio 2 Breakfast. It’s been one of the greatest privileges of my life to wake up with you every morning.” Daheley also humorously noted her readiness for a well-deserved lie-in after such a lengthy commitment, thanking the audience for their trust and support.
The search for Daheley's successor on the morning news desk remains underway, as Gary Davies continues to cover the breakfast show in the wake of Mills’ departure. Daheley’s exit has prompted a wave of supportive responses from colleagues, including Zoe Ball, who praised her as a “class act,” and incoming breakfast host Sara Cox, who acknowledged Daheley’s remarkable journey.
Daheley began her BBC career in 2007, first gaining prominence as a newsreader on 1Xtra and later on Radio 1 before joining Radio 2. Her contributions have shaped BBC Radio’s morning landscape, establishing her as a trusted figure in broadcasting.
Sara Cox is set to launch her tenure as the new radio breakfast host on July 6, with Toy Story 5 star Tom Hanks leading the guest line-up. In a light-hearted moment, Cox shared her excitement and jested about preparing multiple alarm clocks to ensure she arrives on time for her inaugural show.
Daheley’s legacy as a newsreader and her rapport with audiences will surely be remembered as Radio 2 transitions into a new chapter.
Source: BBC News
Source: BBC Entertainment
