Friends of former BBC radio presenter Scott Mills have broken their silence, revealing they are deeply worried about his wellbeing after his shock dismissal from the broadcaster earlier this week. According to sources close to Mills, he is not taking calls from friends and acquaintances, leaving them concerned about his mental state following the abrupt termination of his long-standing career.
BBC Sacking Linked to 2016 Police Investigation
The BBC's decision to sack Scott Mills relates directly to a 2016 Metropolitan Police investigation into allegations of "serious sexual offences" against a teenage boy. The offences were reported to have occurred between 1997 and 2000, when Mills would have been in his 40s. Police questioned Mills under caution in July 2018 as part of their enquiries.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed: "In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force. The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000."
Case Dropped Due to Lack of Evidence
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, the Crown Prosecution Service determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. A full file of evidence was submitted to prosecutors, who advised against pursuing the case. The police investigation was subsequently closed in May 2019.
However, the BBC has now taken action based on this historical investigation, dismissing Mills after what have been described as "tense" talks with BBC executives. The broadcaster confirmed Mills is no longer contracted to work with the organisation, though they declined to comment further on matters relating to individuals.
Friends Describe Mills as "Devastated"
One friend told The Mirror that Mills is "devastated" by the decision to sack him after his many years of service to the BBC. "The show was his life and he is facing oblivion," the friend revealed. Close friends and acquaintances were reportedly "totally blindsided" by both the sacking and the revelation about the 2016 police investigation, of which they had been completely unaware.
Friends of the popular radio star are particularly concerned because Mills has stopped taking their calls entirely. This withdrawal from his support network has heightened worries about how he is coping with the sudden end to his broadcasting career and the public revelation of the police investigation.
BBC Staff Informed by Email
The Mirror first broke news of the presenter's sacking after BBC staff were informed via email from Lorna Clarke, the BBC's Director of Music. In her message to colleagues, Clarke acknowledged the news would come as a shock to both staff and loyal listeners.
"I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC," Clarke wrote. "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, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV."
Clarke added that she would update staff with more information about plans for the show when possible, but emphasised she would not be making any further statements at that time.
Long Career Abruptly Ended
Scott Mills had been a fixture at the BBC for many years, hosting shows across multiple radio stations including Radio 1 and Radio 2, as well as appearing on television programmes. His sudden departure marks a dramatic end to what had been a successful broadcasting career spanning decades.
The combination of the public revelation about the police investigation and the loss of his professional platform has created what friends describe as an extremely difficult situation for Mills. With his withdrawal from communication and the shock of recent events, those close to him remain deeply concerned about his wellbeing in the aftermath of these developments.
