BBC Terminates Scott Mills Contract Following Historical Allegations
The BBC has dismissed prominent Radio 2 Breakfast Show presenter Scott Mills last week following a complaint connected to a 2016 police investigation into alleged serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. Mills, who only took over the flagship breakfast programme from Zoe Ball in 2025, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service determined there was insufficient evidence to bring charges, leading to the investigation being closed in May 2019.
Police Investigation Details and BBC Response
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that an investigation began in December 2016 following a referral from another police force, examining allegations reported to have occurred between 1997 and 2000. A man in his 40s at the time of interview—understood to be Mills—was questioned, but the evidential threshold for prosecution was not met. The BBC acted "quickly and decisively" last week in response to a new complaint, terminating Mills' contract over the weekend and keeping the complainant informed.
Colleagues were reportedly left "shell-shocked" by the sudden departure, with audible gasps heard across the newsroom. Mills was pulled from air last Wednesday after an unnamed individual lodged a complaint, leading to an urgent BBC review. He had concluded Tuesday's show by telling listeners he would return, but was replaced the next day by Gary Davies without explanation.
Internal Communications and Fallout
Lorna Clarke, the BBC's Director of Music, addressed staff via email, acknowledging the news would be "sudden and unexpected" and a shock to both employees and loyal listeners. She stated she would share more information on plans for the show when possible but declined to comment further. The BBC confirmed in a statement that Mills is no longer contracted to work with the corporation, though they do not comment on individual matters.
The news led the 12pm bulletin on Radio 2, with Jeremy Vine expressing he was "taken aback" by the announcement, having only learned about it minutes before from the BBC website. Mills, who earns between £355,000 and £359,999 annually according to the 2024–2025 pay report, is the corporation's 11th highest-paid presenter, with over 25 years of service across BBC radio and television.
Career Impact and Future Implications
Mills joined Radio 2's weekday line-up in 2022, taking over from Steve Wright in the afternoon slot, and had been expected to play a significant role in this year's Eurovision after providing TV commentary in 2025. The BBC is now engaged in emergency talks regarding replacements for his programmes, with a source describing the situation as "like a bomb has been dropped in the middle of the Corporation." The allegations date back to when Mills first joined BBC Radio 1, and it remains unclear whether the BBC were aware of the police investigation at the time.
