The BBC has apologised after it emerged that the corporation failed to investigate allegations about Scott Mills that were raised with it last year. Mills was sacked with immediate effect on Monday over his personal conduct, and it later emerged he had been questioned over allegations of serious sexual offences against a boy under 16 in 2018, which were dropped due to lack of evidence.
A freelance journalist contacted the BBC in May 2025 to ask about separate allegations of “inappropriate communications” involving the Radio 2 host, but did not receive a response. The journalist also asked whether the broadcaster had ever received formal or informal complaints about Mills relating to safeguarding or harassment.
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, who presented the UK’s most popular breakfast show on Radio 2, was taken off air last week before his contract was terminated. The Mirror reported that his sacking related to a police investigation in 2016 into alleged serious sexual offences against a teenage boy, which was closed in 2019 after the Crown Prosecution Service said the evidential threshold had not been met.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the investigation began in December 2016 following a referral from Hampshire Constabulary. The allegations were said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000, and a man in his 40s was questioned under caution in July 2018.
Charity Neuroblastoma UK has dropped Mills as a patron following his dismissal. The BBC has faced repeated crises over the conduct of leading figures, including Huw Edwards and Tim Westwood.
