Radio 2 is thrown into fresh turmoil as Masked Singer's Joel Dommett turns down coveted slot amid rumours of a 'toxic environment'

Radio 2 has been plunged into fresh chaos as bosses struggle to fill the Drivetime slot after Joel Dommett turned it down amid whispers of a toxic environment.

BBC chiefs offered the role to Dommett, who presents ITV's The Masked Singer, this month after Sara Cox was switched from it to the Breakfast Show following the sacking of Scott Mills over historic sex assault claims.

A source said: 'It would have been a great opportunity for Joel but he must have heard how miserable and on edge staff are. It's caused a nightmare as everyone had hopes pinned on him.'

Radio 2 was reportedly shocked that comedian Dommett, 41, who has been in I'm A Celebrity, did not 'jump at the chance to join'.

With a salary of £200,000, the job should have been a great chance for Dommett, who has two sons with model Hannah Cooper and has hosted Saturday night show The Masked Singer since 2020.

Since Ms Cox, 51, switched to the Breakfast Show in July, the weekday 4pm to 7pm Drivetime slot has been filled by guest presenters, including Dommett.

The station has been struggling since Ms Cox, who hosted Drivetime for seven years, replaced Mills, 53, on the Breakfast Show after he was fired over historic sex assault claims, for which he was never charged.

Insiders allege that actions by Radio 2 head Helen Thomas are part of the reason why the station has become an undesirable place to work.

Ms Thomas, who has held the post for six years, was one of the bosses responsible for Mills's sacking, which allegedly infuriated many colleagues. 

Staff, once loyal to Ms Thomas, are allegedly 'on edge' as her 'fan base has waned', said a source. 'The devastating part is nobody knows where this is going to end.'

Radio 2 has seen some of its biggest stars join rival stations.

After 13 years, Chris Evans left the Breakfast Show for Virgin Radio in 2018, followed by Simon Mayo who quit Drivetime and later joined Greatest Hits Radio.

Graham Norton left his Saturday morning show in 2020 after a decade and headed for Virgin.

Ken Bruce left after 30 years in 2023, taking his quiz PopMaster to Greatest Hits. Claudia Winkleman left five years after replacing Norton. 

Zoe Ball quit last year, with friends saying she did not always feel 'supported' by the BBC after her mother died in April 2024.

A BBC spokesman said: 'We don't recognise this as the reality of working at Radio 2. 

'The station prides itself on being a supportive family, on and off air, and that culture comes from the top. We don't comment on speculation around individual contracts.'