Scott Mills' Podcast with Rylan Clark Cancelled After BBC Sacking
Former BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills has faced another significant setback following his recent dismissal from the broadcaster. His popular podcast, Pop Top 10, co-hosted with friend Rylan Clark, has been officially axed by the BBC.
Podcast Pulled Amid Ongoing Controversy
The Pop Top 10 podcast, which launched in September 2024 and was hailed as BBC Radio 2’s flagship entertainment podcast, had been scheduled to return later this month. However, in the aftermath of Mills' sacking, the BBC has decided to shelve the project entirely. This move comes shortly after another podcast involving Mills, the BBC's Race Across The World podcast, removed him from production.
Mills was taken off air suddenly last week after hosting his final show on Tuesday, March 24. The BBC terminated his contract on Wednesday, April 1, citing personal misconduct as the reason. The organisation confirmed it received compelling new information that led to this decision, pledging to conduct further work to understand the details of what was known at the time.
Historical Allegations and Police Investigation
The Mirror revealed that Mills was questioned in 2018 over historical allegations of serious sexual offences, with the investigation beginning in 2016. The Crown Prosecution Service closed the case in 2019, determining there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. The allegations are reported to have occurred between 1997 and 2000, involving a teenage boy under the age of 16.
In a statement provided by his lawyers, Mills addressed the situation, confirming that the Metropolitan Police's recent statement related to him. He stated, "An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018." He added that the CPS found the evidential threshold had not been met and expressed hope for privacy, thanking supporters and listeners.
Impact on BBC Projects and Future Involvement
The cancellation of the Pop Top 10 podcast marks a swift removal of Mills from BBC projects. The show, which featured guests like Perrie Edwards, Craig David, Natalie Cassidy, and Dani Dyer, focused on ranking iconic music and pop culture. Additionally, questions had arisen about Mills' involvement in an EastEnders New Year's special, where he was set to give a radio shout-out to Max Branning, portrayed by Jake Wood.
The BBC has now confirmed that Mills is no longer contracted to work on any BBC projects, effectively ending his longstanding association with the broadcaster. This development underscores the broader implications of the allegations and the BBC's response, impacting not only Mills' career but also collaborative ventures like the podcast with Rylan Clark.
