The BBC has confirmed that DJ and television presenter Tyler West will replace Scott Mills as host of the new video podcast Race Across the World: The Detour. The announcement follows Mills' departure from the broadcaster after a police investigation into a historic sexual offence allegation, which was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Tyler West, who participated in the celebrity series of Race Across the World last year, will be joined by series four champion Alfie Watts. Together, they will offer travel advice and recommendations, with the podcast described as the TV show's “younger, wilder sibling”.
The weekly video podcast will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds immediately after each new episode of the TV series airs, starting tonight (April 2). The first episode features guests Kola Bokinni and Molly Rainford, with Yinka Bokinni appearing in a bonus episode on BBC Sounds.
Scott Mills, who had been scheduled to host the podcast, released a statement following his exit. He confirmed that an allegation was made against him in 2016, leading to a police investigation in which he fully cooperated. The Crown Prosecution Service determined that the evidential threshold for charges was not met, and the case was closed in 2018. Mills expressed gratitude to those who supported him and said he greatly misses his listeners.
