Scott Mills Plaque Removed from M3 Service Station After BBC Sacking
A plaque dedicated to former BBC radio host Scott Mills has been taken down from the Fleet Services bridge on the M3 motorway, following his recent sacking from the corporation. The plaque, which was officially unveiled on 16 March 2016 after a humorous campaign on his show to name the bridge after him, was noticed missing by a driver on Thursday, 2 April 2026. The Independent has reached out to Welcome Break, the company operating the services, for comment on the removal.
Shows Pulled from Streaming Platforms
This development coincides with the removal of a slate of Scott Mills-presented shows from both BBC iPlayer and Spotify. The BBC announced Mills' dismissal on Monday, 30 March 2026, citing "allegations about his personal conduct." It later emerged that he had been investigated by police in 2016 over claims of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000. The Crown Prosecution Service determined there was insufficient evidence to bring charges at that time.
BBC's Response and Internal Reactions
The BBC has acknowledged it was aware of the police investigation but stated it "acted decisively" after receiving "new information" in the weeks leading up to his sacking. Outgoing director-general Tim Davie, in an all-staff call on his final day, described the decision as a "real shock to the organisation" and emphasised that the new information made it "very clear" that Mills had to be fired. Mills, now 53, had his contract terminated just days after being taken off air, ending a career that spanned over two decades at Radio 1 before he moved to Radio 2 in 2022 and secured the breakfast show slot in January 2025.
Mills' Statement and Future Implications
On Wednesday, 1 April 2026, Mills addressed the situation, stating he had been subject to "rumour and speculation" and had "co-operated fully" with the police investigation. He highlighted that the CPS found the evidence did not meet the threshold for charges and urged the public and media to respect his privacy, as the allegations date back nearly 30 years. His abrupt departure has left BBC bosses grappling with decisions on upcoming projects he was set to front, including coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest and Race Across the World: The Detour.
