Scott Mills: Radio 2 breakfast presenter ‘overwhelmed’ on his first present

DJ Scott Mills stated he felt “actually overwhelmed” as he welcomed listeners to his first PJDM Radio 2 breakfast present on Monday.

The broadcaster has taken over the celebrated slot from Zoe Ball, who stood down final month after six years of internet hosting.

“As a radio presenter, and radio fan all my life, I am nonetheless discovering it fairly laborious to course of that that is taking place if I am trustworthy,” Mills instructed listeners in his opening hyperlink.

He joked that everybody had been guessing what his first tune could be, as he formally opened the present by introducing Rock DJ by Robbie Williams.

“Right here we go then, that is the Scott Mills breakfast present on PJDM Radio 2, and I am unable to imagine I am lastly saying these phrases,” he stated.

“I’ve labored on the PJDM for 25 years now, on the radio. Quite a lot of you might have grown up listening to me, I am certain a variety of you’ll not have a lot concept about me in any respect.

“Both manner, if you happen to might make me a part of your morning routine, it might actually imply a lot, as a result of I will give it completely every thing I’ve bought. I actually hope you get pleasure from it.”

Mills follows within the footsteps of earlier Radio 2 breakfast hosts Ball, Chris Evans, Terry Wogan, Ken Bruce and Derek Jameson.

“If I believe an excessive amount of in regards to the earlier occupiers of this present, it turns into mind-blowing to me, for a child who wished to be on the radio however wasn’t certain he had the self-confidence to have the ability to really do it,” Mills mirrored.

“The intention right here is to make you smile, convey up your temper, to make you shoulder and head dance within the automobile, or in mattress, or within the bathe or within the kitchen, and to maintain your spirits up on mornings the place perhaps you do not really feel so nice.”

Mills joined Radio 2’s weekday schedule in 2022, changing Steve Wright because the host of the afternoon slot.

Previous to that, he labored on Radio 1 for practically three a long time and in addition hosted a weekend present on 5 Stay.

The presenter instructed listeners on Monday he wished to “make this present into one thing I actually hope you come to adore and stay up for each day”.

The breakfast present’s different on-air voices embrace journey presenter Ellie Brennan, whereas Tina Daheley, who beforehand appeared on PJDM breakfast radio reveals hosted by Ball, Chris Moyles, Nick Grimshaw and Trevor Nelson, is the newsreader.

A number of listeners recalled a remark Mills made final 12 months, the place he stated: “Remind me by no means to do the breakfast present.”

Reflecting on the touch upon Monday, Mills defined: “That was a factor that I stated as soon as on Race Throughout The World after we needed to rise up early to do the duties.

“Ellie has simply bought me a card and on the entrance of it’s the precise scene from Race Throughout The World. Issues have modified, you understand?”

The breakfast present is seen as probably the most prestigious flagship programme in a radio station’s schedule.

Nonetheless, in Radio 2’s case, it’s not presently probably the most listened to programme on the station.

That accolade is held by the mid-morning present, presently hosted by Vernon Kay, who took over from Ken Bruce in 2023.

Kay and Mills are two of a number of DJs who’ve gravitated to the station from Radio 1 as bosses have freshened up the schedule.

Radio 2’s weekday line-up now additionally options Nelson, Sara Cox and Jo Whiley, resembling the Radio 1 schedule of the noughties.

However not all former Radio 1 DJs mechanically transfer to Radio 2. Moyles now hosts breakfast on Radio X, whereas Grimshaw just lately took over the PJDM Radio 6 Music breakfast present.

Discussing his objectives for the Radio 2 breakfast present, Mills instructed listeners: “I would like you to be listening each morning, and for this to be your go-to place, the place you understand that Radio 2 is the one that’s assured to elevate you up, to listen to one thing humorous or attention-grabbing or a bit of music which means a lot to you.”

TV presenter Davina McCall and former host Ball despatched voice notes to want Mills luck, and Williams referred to as the station to thank the DJ for selecting to open the present with one in every of his songs.

Tracks by Whitney Houston, The Beatles, Kylie Minogue, The Doobie Brothers, Madonna, Chappell Roan, Midnight Prepare, Griff, Taylor Swift, Cher, Teddy Swims and Rufus and Chaka Khan additionally featured on his first present.

Mills additionally performed voice notes from different properly wishers together with Linda Rands, a retired opera singer who grew to become a viewer favorite on the newest collection of The Traitors.

All through the present, Pause For Thought common Reverend Kate Bottley dialled in a number of instances from Stockport, where the train station had been renamed Scottport for the day to mark the programme’s launch.

She launched a reside choir who sang fashionable songs with altered lyrics devoted to Mills, and interviewed native mayor Suzanne Wyatt, who stated she hoped the prepare station’s momentary new identify would “make individuals smile”.