BBC Terminates Scott Mills' Podcast with Rylan Clark Following Dismissal
The BBC has reportedly shelved Scott Mills' podcast collaboration with Rylan Clark, titled Pop Top 10, mere weeks before its scheduled release of new episodes. This decision comes directly after the corporation terminated Mills' contract last week, citing new information related to a historic police investigation into sexual offence allegations.
Podcast Cancelled Amidst Dismissal Fallout
Pop Top 10, which launched in September 2024 and featured the duo debating and ranking iconic music and pop culture with special guests, was due to drop new episodes on April 29. According to reports, the BBC Sounds podcast has now been axed entirely. The BBC confirmed in a statement that Mills is "no longer contracted to work on any BBC projects." Previous guests on the show included Richard Osmond, Katherine Ryan, and EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy.
Historic Allegations and Police Investigation
Scott Mills, the 53-year-old former Radio 2 presenter, was investigated by police over allegations of serious sexual offences against a boy under the age of 16, alleged to have occurred between 1997 and 2000. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they questioned Mills after the allegations were reported in 2016. The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the case and determined in 2019 that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges, subsequently closing the investigation.
In an emotional statement released on Wednesday, Mills acknowledged the police investigation, stating he had "fully cooperated" and that the matter related to an allegation dating back nearly 30 years. He expressed hope that the public and media would respect his wish not to comment further.
BBC's Decision and New Information
The BBC admitted it was aware of the police investigation into Mills back in 2017. However, corporation chiefs stated they felt they had "no choice" but to dismiss him last week after obtaining new information relating to the same alleged victim, which differed from previous claims. A BBC spokesperson explained that the corporation acted decisively in line with its culture and values, terminating his contracts on March 27.
The spokesperson added: "We are doing more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time." This has led to questions about why Mills was kept on air despite the BBC reportedly knowing he was interviewed under caution between 2018 and 2019.
Reactions and Speculation
The sacking has left colleagues and listeners shocked, with friends expressing concern that Mills has been avoiding phone calls and had "gone to ground." Media figures, including Piers Morgan, have questioned the timing, noting the case was closed years ago with no action taken. Crisis consultant Mark Borkowski warned that the BBC needs to clarify its reasons to avoid backlash from confused listeners.
Speculation suggests the complaint leading to Mills' dismissal may have been inspired by the recent Channel 5 docudrama about disgraced ex-BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, which aired last week. A BBC executive indicated that bosses believe the timing is "not a coincidence." Edwards, who received a suspended sentence for making indecent images of children, has reportedly shown sympathy for Mills' situation on social media.
As the BBC continues to navigate this controversy, the cancellation of the podcast marks another significant blow in the unfolding saga surrounding Scott Mills' departure from the corporation after a 27-year career.
