Tina Daheley, co-host of Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2, has been absent from the programme since Mills was sacked over the weekend. The BBC terminated Mills' contract after receiving compelling new information related to historic allegations of serious sexual offences, which first emerged in 2016.
Daheley has now revealed she has been off sick after catching an illness from her child, but admitted it had been a 'difficult week'. Sources said there were 'questions' about her absence, but the general feeling was that it was 'probably for the best' given the circumstances.
Mills was questioned by police under caution in 2018 over allegations involving a teenage boy under 16, reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000. The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case in 2019 due to insufficient evidence.
The BBC has confirmed it knew of information relating to the police investigation and pledged to 'do more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time.' Mills' final broadcast was on March 24, when he told listeners he would see them 'tomorrow' before being replaced by Gary Davies.
Friends of Mills said he is 'devastated' by his sacking, describing the show as his 'life' and saying he is 'facing oblivion'. Those close to him were reportedly 'totally in the dark' about the decision and many have been unable to reach him.
