The BBC has apologised after it emerged that allegations about Scott Mills were raised with the broadcaster last year but not investigated. The Radio 2 presenter was sacked on Monday over his personal conduct, and it later emerged he had been questioned over separate allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy in 2018, though the case was dropped due to lack of evidence.
The Telegraph reported that a freelance journalist contacted the BBC in May 2025 with information about separate allegations of 'inappropriate communications' involving Mills. She asked whether the broadcaster had ever received any complaints about him relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment, and whether it had conducted an internal investigation. The BBC did not respond.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information. This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.'
Mills, 53, who hosted the UK's most popular breakfast show on Radio 2, was taken off air last week and his contract terminated on Monday. The Mirror reported that his sacking related to a police investigation in 2016 into alleged serious sexual offences against a teenage boy, which was dropped in 2019 after the Crown Prosecution Service determined there was insufficient evidence to charge.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man in his 40s was questioned under caution in July 2018 over allegations of serious sexual offences against a boy under 16, reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000. The original referral came from Hampshire Constabulary.
Following his dismissal, the charity Neuroblastoma UK announced it had parted ways with Mills, who had been a patron. A spokesperson said: 'We have taken the decision to part ways with Scott Mills, and he is no longer a patron of our charity.'
