Scott Mills' BBC Dismissal Raises Bake Off Participation Concerns
Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills has been abruptly dismissed by the BBC following allegations regarding his personal conduct, casting uncertainty over his upcoming appearance on The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer. The 53-year-old DJ, who earns between £355,000 and £359,999 annually from the BBC, was removed from air last week as executives investigated the claims before confirming his termination on Monday.
Historic Relationship Allegations Prompt BBC Action
According to reports from the Daily Mirror, Mills' sudden departure is linked to a historic male relationship from over a decade ago. The BBC has declined to comment on the specific nature of the allegations, stating only that Mills is no longer under contract. In an internal email to staff, Lorna Clarke, Director of Music, acknowledged the shock of the news, emphasizing that many colleagues had worked with Mills across various BBC programmes for years.
Mills was last on air on Tuesday, with veteran DJ Gary Davies stepping in to host his Radio 2 breakfast show from Wednesday onward. When Davies began the broadcast, he simply told listeners, 'Morning, Gary in for Scott,' without addressing the reason for Mills' absence. The sacking led the 12pm news bulletin on BBC Radio 2, where presenter Jeremy Vine expressed being 'taken aback' by the development, noting he had only learned of it minutes before airtime.
Bake Off Schedule Under Review Amid Controversy
Despite the BBC's decision, Mills is still slated to appear in an episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer next month. He was announced earlier this year as part of the celebrity lineup, which includes JoJo Siwa, Mark Wright, and Vicky Pattison. Channel 4 has been approached for comment regarding whether Mills' episode will be broadcast as planned, but no changes to the schedule have been announced at this time.
The uncertainty comes as the latest episode of the charity baking show featured influencer Molly-Mae Hague, who was crowned Star Baker for her blue and purple biscuit creation. Reflecting on her experience, Hague shared on Instagram that participating was 'one of the most insane experiences' of her life, expressing gratitude for supporting such an important cause.
Injury Incident Highlights Bake Off Drama
In other Bake Off news, Sunday night's episode saw comedian Richard Herring require medical attention after cutting his finger during the Technical Challenge, which involved baking a tarte tatin. As cameras focused on JoJo Siwa, Herring was heard exclaiming, 'Ow!' before shouting, 'I've cut my finger!' Host Alison Hammond appeared concerned as a medic rushed to assist, with Herring insisting he would continue despite the injury.
Meanwhile, Mills' career trajectory at the BBC saw him begin on Radio 1 in the late 1990s, eventually taking over the Radio 2 breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025. His final sign-off included lighthearted jokes about waxing his legs and doing Stars In Their Eyes with fellow presenter Vernon Kay, ending with, 'See you tomorrow.' The BBC's statement confirmed his departure, leaving fans and colleagues awaiting further details on the future of his radio slot and television appearances.
