BBC Radio 2 Star Scott Mills Dismissed in Whirlwind Sacking Over Allegations
Shamed BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills has been sacked by the broadcaster, with the decision made swiftly over the weekend, leaving staff and millions of listeners stunned. The dismissal follows allegations related to a previously unknown police investigation from 2016 involving a teenage boy.
Sudden Departure and Staff Reaction
Scott Mills, who replaced Zoe Ball on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show in 2025 with a salary exceeding £350,000 per year, was removed from air last Wednesday. His contract was terminated shortly after, with colleagues reportedly giving off "audible" gasps in the newsroom upon hearing the news. Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s Director of Music, informed staff via email, acknowledging the sudden and unexpected nature of the departure.
Police Investigation Details
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that an investigation began in December 2016 regarding allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy, reported to have occurred between 1997 and 2000. A man in his 40s was questioned under caution in July 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service determined the evidential threshold was not met, leading to the case being closed in May 2019. It remains unclear if the BBC was aware of this investigation at the time.
Broader BBC Context and Reactions
The sacking occurred shortly after Matt Brittin was confirmed as the new BBC director general, succeeding Tim Davie, who resigned amid controversies. This follows other high-profile departures, such as Huw Edwards and Greg Davies. Jeremy Vine expressed surprise on his show, stating he was "taken aback" by the news and initially thought it might be an AI-generated spoof. On Tuesday, Gary Davies took over the breakfast show without mention of Mills.
The BBC has handled the exit "quickly and decisively" after a complaint was made, highlighting ongoing scrutiny over presenter conduct within the corporation.
