BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills was dismissed by the corporation on Monday, hours before it emerged he was the subject of a 2016 police inquiry into allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy.
The 53-year-old broadcaster, who had hosted the station’s flagship breakfast programme since January 2025, was abruptly removed from the air last Tuesday following a complaint.
Mr Mills was interviewed by Metropolitan Police officers under caution in July 2018 as part of the investigation, though the Crown Prosecution Service subsequently determined there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges.
The case was formally closed in May 2019. Despite reports to the contrary, it is not yet known if the BBC’s decision to terminate his contract is related to the investigation.
Scott Mills’ BBC axe was confirmed on Monday
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BBCInstead, a BBC spokesperson confirmed: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”
The Metropolitan Police provided details of the investigation in a statement, confirming that inquiries commenced in December 2016 after receiving a referral from another force.
Officers were examining claims of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy, with the alleged incidents said to have occurred between 1997 and 2000.
A Met spokesperson stated: “As part of these enquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.”
Scott Mills was axed over allegations against his personal conduct | BBC
Following the interview, investigators compiled an evidence file and submitted it to the CPS for review.
Prosecutors concluded that the evidential threshold required to bring charges had not been reached, and the investigation was subsequently closed in May 2019. Mr Mills has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.
It remains unclear whether the BBC was made aware of the police inquiry at the time it was ongoing.
The news of Mr Mills’ departure sent shockwaves through the corporation, with staff described as “shell-shocked” by the sudden announcement.
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Scott Mills was one of the BBC’s highest paid radio stars | BBC
Colleagues reportedly reacted with “audible” gasps when they learned of his dismissal on Monday morning.
Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s Director of Music, broke the news to employees via email shortly before it became public.
She wrote: “I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC. I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.”
Ms Clarke acknowledged the presenter’s long tenure across multiple BBC platforms, adding: “Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV.”
Scott Mills took over from Zoe Ball in the Radio 2 breakfast slot last January
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PAMr Mills began his BBC career in 1998, initially presenting the early breakfast programme on Radio 1 before progressing to weekend slots and eventually an early evening show.
His programme was rebranded as The Scott Mills Show after he permanently took over from Sara Cox, who had been on maternity leave.
After spending 24 years at Radio 1, he transferred to Radio 2 in 2022 to assume Steve Wright’s afternoon slot.
The presenter was announced as Zoe Ball’s replacement on the breakfast show in November 2024, officially taking the helm in January 2025.
Scott Mills is yet to publicly address his departure
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PAAccording to the 2024-2025 pay report, Mills earned between £355,000 and £359,999 annually, making him the third-highest-paid presenter on Radio 2 and the corporation’s 11th highest-earning talent overall.
Fellow Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine revealed he was caught off guard by the announcement, learning of it just minutes before going on air.
He told listeners on Monday afternoon: “Obviously, I was taken aback by that opening story to the news. I had not heard anything about it until 17 minutes ago, when it was on the BBC website.”
Veteran broadcaster Gary Davies has stepped in to cover the breakfast programme, having taken over from Mr Mills since last Wednesday without any explanation initially given for his colleague’s absence.
Scott Mills’ final BBC Radio 2 show was on Tuesday
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BBCThe BBC has confirmed Davies and OJ Borg will share presenting duties until April 7 while the corporation holds urgent discussions about a permanent replacement.
Vernon Kay has emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite to take over the coveted slot.
Mr Mills has not yet made any public statement regarding his dismissal. GB News has contacted his representatives for comment.