MILLS AND BOOS

As Scott Mills makes his debut on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show this morning, it's already clear he'll have his work cut out winning over the famously feisty (and conservative) audience. So will he succeed as its eighth host?

- By Jennie Buzaglo

IT'S the BBC radio appointment that's made Radio 2 listeners incensed enough to choke on their cornflakes. Motormouth presenter Scott Mills officially takes over from Zoe Ball as Breakfast Show host today - but it's fair to say his arrival in the new job has been far from smooth sailing.

The announcement sparked an avalanche of complaints from listeners, who famously don't like change all that much - with some branding it "the end" of the beloved radio station. And the dark mood of Radio 2 fans is seeping out online, with many taking to the internet to voice their disquiet.

"This spells the end of Radio 2 for me," said one listener on X, formerly Twitter.

"I cannot listen to Scott Mills coming out with childish remarks and singing over songs. I just hope Zoe Ball joins another station rather than retire; she's far too young and talented."

Another lamented: "I'm sure Scott Mills will be great, but I've struggled listening to him for years. Back to avoiding breakfast radio."

A third loyal listener moaned: "That'll be me not listening to BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show in the new year. Not a Zoe Ball fan BUT Scott bloody Mills? No thanks!"

Changing the talent on long-running shows is no walk in the park - but Mills's zippy style is clearly not to everyone's taste.

Freelance arts critic Chris Bennion recently opined: "The great DJs make you feel as if they are talking directly to you.

"I have always felt with Mills that he is talking to someone else. He has a breeziness that plays well in the afternoons, but mornings call for someone whose voice feels like an old pair of slippers."