Race Across The World Faces Major Disruption Following Scott Mills' BBC Dismissal
The highly anticipated 2026 launch of the popular BBC series Race Across The World has been plunged into uncertainty just days before its scheduled debut. The chaos stems from the sudden and unexpected sacking of veteran DJ Scott Mills from the BBC, which has thrown his involvement in a key promotional podcast for the show into serious doubt.
Sudden Departure and Historical Allegations
Mills, aged 53, was removed from his position at the corporation merely six days after his final Radio 2 breakfast show aired last Tuesday. Reports from The Daily Mirror have linked this decisive action to a police investigation from 2016. That inquiry examined allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy, said to have occurred between 1997 and 2000. It is crucial to note that this case was dropped approximately seven years ago due to an acknowledged lack of evidence.
Podcast Plans Thrown Into Turmoil
The fallout directly impacts the upcoming sixth series of Race Across The World, set to premiere on BBC One on April 2. Mills had been officially announced as the co-host of the companion podcast, Race Across The World: The Detour. This podcast was designed to chronicle the new series, featuring interviews with celebrity fans, comedians, and content creators. His abrupt departure has reportedly caused significant chaos behind the scenes, with production teams scrambling to decide the podcast's future.
A source close to the production told The Sun: 'It's chaos behind the scenes as nobody knows what is happening with the podcast now – it was a big part of the launch next week. Now there's a scramble – do they axe it or do they try and replace Scott with someone else?'
BBC Confirms Severance of Ties
A BBC spokesperson confirmed the definitive break, stating to the publication: 'Scott will not be working on any upcoming projects.' This statement casts a long shadow over his planned podcast role. The Daily Mail has approached representatives for Race Across The World for further comment on the developing situation.
Internal Shock and a Storied Career
Internally, the BBC is said to be in a state of total shock over Mills's dismissal. Lorna Clarke, the Director of Music, communicated the news to staff via email, acknowledging the suddenness of the decision and its impact on both colleagues and the loyal audience. Mills, who earned between £355,000 and £359,999 annually, had a long and prominent career at the BBC. He began on Radio 1 in the late 1990s, eventually taking over the prestigious Radio 2 breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025 after previously replacing Steve Wright in the afternoon slot.
Connection to the Race Across The World Franchise
Mills's connection to the Race Across The World franchise is personal and professional. In 2024, he and his now-husband Sam triumphed in the second series of the celebrity edition of the show. Furthermore, his podcast co-host, Alfie Watts, participated in the fourth civilian series that same year. This deep integration makes his removal from the podcast project particularly disruptive to the show's promotional strategy.
As the April 2 launch date for the new civilian series approaches, producers are left with a critical decision that could alter the fan experience. The planned podcast, The Detour, which was announced just weeks ago as a key supplementary element, now hangs in the balance, its fate uncertain due to the unforeseen vacancy left by Scott Mills's dramatic exit from the BBC.
