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BBC terminates Scott Mills' contract following conduct allegations
The BBC has dismissed Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills after allegations regarding his personal conduct emerged. The corporation confirmed his departure on Monday but did not disclose further details. The move coincides with a previously closed police investigation into historic sexual offence claims.
Police investigation details
Metropolitan Police revealed that the allegations involved a teenage boy under the age of 16 at the time of the reported incidents, which occurred between 1997 and 2000. Mills, then in his 40s, was questioned under caution in July 2018 as part of the investigation, which began in December 2016 following a referral from another police force.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reviewed the case and concluded in 2019 that there was insufficient evidence to press charges, leading to the closure of the investigation.
BBC's response and internal reactions
The BBC stated that Mills is "no longer contracted to work with the corporation" but refrained from commenting on individual matters. An internal email from Lorna Clarke, the BBC's director of music, acknowledged the shockwaves caused by the decision, noting that it would also impact the station's audience and loyal breakfast show listeners.
Former colleague Jeremy Vine expressed his surprise at the news, telling reporters outside BBC studios in London,
"It's a terrible shame. I don't know all the details at the moment so I guess we'll find out. It was a shock for all of us yesterday."
Mills' career and BBC tenure
Mills, 53, took over the Radio 2 breakfast show from Zoe Ball in January 2025 and was among the BBC's highest-paid stars, earning between £355,000 and £359,999 in the year leading up to April 2025. His full salary for the breakfast show role is expected to be disclosed in the corporation's upcoming annual report.
His departure marks another high-profile exit for the BBC under outgoing director general Tim Davie, following the conviction of News at Ten presenter Huw Edwards in 2024 for indecent images of children and the ongoing trial of Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood, who faces charges of rape and indecent assault.
Recent broadcasts and coverage plans
Mills' final show aired on Tuesday, 24 March, during which he signed off with his usual "Back tomorrow." Gary Davies and overnight DJ OJ Borg will cover the breakfast show for the next week. Mills had been a fixture on BBC radio for over 25 years, joining Radio 1 in 1998 and later hosting the Official Chart Show from 2018 to 2022. He also appeared on television, including Eurovision commentary and a Traitors skit for Comic Relief.
