BBC Terminates Scott Mills Contract Following Historic Police Investigation
The BBC has terminated the contract of prominent presenter Scott Mills, with the decision directly linked to a previously undisclosed police investigation from 2016. The investigation centered on allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy, though the case was ultimately dropped due to a lack of sufficient evidence.
Metropolitan Police Investigation Details
According to a Metropolitan Police spokesperson, the investigation began in December 2016 following a referral from another police force. The allegations involved serious sexual offences reported to have occurred between 1997 and 2000 against a teenage boy.
A man in his 40s at the time, understood to be Scott Mills, was questioned under caution in July 2018. A comprehensive file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold for bringing charges had not been met. Consequently, the investigation was formally closed in May 2019.
BBC's Swift Action and Internal Reaction
The BBC acted "quickly and decisively" last week after receiving a complaint related to these historic allegations. The corporation has since updated the complainant regarding Mills' dismissal and remains in contact with them. It is unclear whether the BBC was aware of the police investigation at the time it was conducted.
News of Mills' sudden departure left BBC staff "shell-shocked," with audible gasps reported in the newsroom. Staff were informed via email shortly after the Mirror broke the story. Mills was initially taken off air last Wednesday following the complaint, while the BBC urgently assessed the information.
Official Communications and Statement
Lorna Clarke, the BBC's Director of Music, informed staff in an email: "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." She acknowledged the impact on both colleagues and loyal listeners but stated she could not provide further details at that time.
The BBC issued a brief statement confirming: "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 story led the 12pm bulletin on Mills' former station, with Jeremy Vine expressing he was "taken aback" by the news during his Radio 2 show.
Career Context and Financial Details
Scott Mills, 53, had only recently taken over the flagship Radio 2 Breakfast Show from Zoe Ball in 2025, describing it as a "lifelong dream come true." His annual earnings at the BBC were between £355,000 and £359,999, making him the corporation's 11th highest-paid star.
Mills' BBC career spanned over 25 years, beginning on Radio 1 in the late 1990s. He later moved to Radio 2, replacing Steve Wright in the afternoon slot in 2022. His television work included providing Eurovision commentary on BBC One in 2025, and he was expected to be heavily involved in this year's competition.
Immediate Aftermath and Replacement Plans
Mills had signed off his Tuesday show by telling listeners he would return the next day, but was replaced without warning by colleague Gary Davies on Wednesday. The BBC is now holding crisis meetings to determine replacements for both his radio and television commitments. A source described the situation as "like a bomb has been dropped in the middle of the Corporation... everything has been thrown up into the air."
In 2024, Mills and his husband Sam Vaughan won the celebrity edition of Race Around the World. Reflecting on that period, Mills had said: "I had such a mad year last year, it was the best year of my life," adding, "I'm honestly the happiest I've ever been in my life."
