Sara Cox has issued a blunt response when questioned about Scott Mills' recent sacking from the BBC, as she gears up to take over the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show next week. The 51-year-old presenter will replace Mills, who was dismissed from the station in April after the full extent of a previous police investigation came to light.
Scott Mills Sacking and Police Investigation
Scott Mills, 53, was sacked from his role at BBC Radio 2 following revelations about a police investigation from 2018. He was interviewed under caution after being accused of serious sexual offences against a boy under the age of 16. The alleged offences are said to have occurred between 1997 and 2000, when Mills was in his mid-20s.
A full file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which determined there was insufficient evidence to charge him. Since his sacking, it has been reported that Mills has hired lawyers to sue the BBC for unfair dismissal. A source told The Mirror: "It's going to get very messy indeed."
Sara Cox's Response
Speaking to Radio Times magazine, Cox was asked about Mills but was reluctant to elaborate. She said: "I understand why you're asking about Scott, but I don't know any more than what's been in the media, so I'm not commenting further."
Cox is set to debut on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show next week, taking over after Mills' departure. She has hosted the Drivetime show for seven and a half years and expressed excitement about her new role.
Scott Mills' Statement
In a statement shared on Instagram via his lawyers after his sacking, Mills thanked fans for their support. He said: "I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss."
Addressing the police probe, he added: "The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation. In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me."
He continued: "An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence, which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully co-operated and responded to in 2018. Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter."
New Role for Sara Cox
Mills had hosted the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show for 14 months before his sacking, having taken over from Zoe Ball. Cox will replace him after seven and a half years of hosting the Drivetime show. Bidding farewell to her previous show, she said: "I’ve had the most glorious seven years of my career on Teatime so thank you to my brilliant Teatime listeners who hopefully will join me at Breakfast for excellent music and all my usual nonsense plus some superstar guests. I honestly can’t wait to wake the nation up with the biggest most fun breakfast show ever."
