Scott Mills has been replaced by former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Tyler West as host of the BBC's new Race Across The World spin-off podcast, following his dismissal from BBC Radio 2. The podcast, titled Race Across The World: The Detour, is described as the main programme's “younger, wilder sibling” and will cover the upcoming series of the hit show.
Mills, who won the most recent celebrity version of Race Across The World with his husband Sam Vaughan, had originally been due to host the video podcast. However, he was sacked by the BBC last week after it emerged that the Metropolitan Police had investigated him in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000. The investigation was closed in 2019 due to insufficient evidence.
West, host of the Kiss FM breakfast show and a contestant on the same celebrity series as Mills, will now take over hosting duties. The podcast will also feature series four winner Alfie Watts, sharing travel tips and hacks. Guests will include travel influencers, comedians, and celebrity fans, such as West's partner and actress Molly Rainford.
Race Across The World: The Detour will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds immediately after the first episode of the new series airs on Thursday night. It will be released weekly from Thursday April 2, straight after the TV episode.
Mills broke his silence on his sacking in an emotional statement through his lawyer, confirming the police investigation and stating that he fully cooperated. He expressed gratitude to those who reached out with kindness and said he greatly misses his listeners.
