Dermot O'Leary has spoken out about Scott Mills' sudden departure from the BBC, describing the Radio 2 team as "a family" and saying the news was a complete shock to everyone who worked there.
Appearing on This Morning alongside Alison Hammond, Nick Ferrari and Ashley James, O'Leary said: "Speaking as part of the Radio 2 family, and it is a family, it's a lovely place, all the onscreen talent know each other well, we get together relatively often, it's a lovely place to work, very collegiate. This was a complete shock to everyone who worked there, it came from nowhere."
His comments follow those of former BBC Radio 1 DJ Nihal Arthanayake, who told Good Morning Britain: "In all of my 12 years at Radio 1, I didn't ever hear a bad word said about Scott Mills. That was the reality, that was my experience and others' experience." Arthanayake added that Mills' career was growing, saying: "If he had been a complete 'wrong un', eventually those career opportunities tend to taper off... but it was quite the opposite with Scott Mills."
Mills was removed from his Radio 2 programme last Wednesday after an allegation relating to his personal conduct, with his contract terminated over the weekend. The BBC said in a statement: "While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC." Mills has yet to publicly address the allegation.
BBC staff were reportedly left "shell-shocked" by the dismissal. In an email to staff, Director of Music Lorna Clarke said: "I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC. I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock. Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years... Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too."
