Steve Brookstein Shares 'Bitter' Tweet Following Scott Mills' BBC Dismissal
X Factor winner Steve Brookstein has posted what has been described as a 'fabulously bitter' tweet in the wake of Scott Mills' sudden dismissal from BBC Radio 2. The 53-year-old DJ was axed on Monday after it emerged he had been questioned by Scotland Yard in 2018 over alleged serious sexual offences against a boy under the age of 16.
Historical Allegations and Police Investigation
The investigation, which related to alleged incidents between 1997 and 2000, was dropped without charge in 2019 after the Crown Prosecution Service determined there was insufficient evidence. However, new information reportedly emerged recently, leading BBC chiefs to feel they had 'no choice' but to dismiss Mills after 27 years with the corporation.
The BBC has refused to confirm whether they were aware of the 2018 police investigation at the time, though sources close to Mills suggest he may not have informed his employers. Hampshire Police initially logged the allegations in 2016 before passing them to the Metropolitan Police, who questioned Mills under caution in July 2018.
Brookstein's Social Media Response
Steve Brookstein, who won the first series of The X Factor in 2004, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts on the situation. The singer retweeted a post from November 2013 that read: '@scott_mills remember taking the p**s out of me with James Arthur the other week? I need to hear that interview again. Cheers. :0)'
He added on Monday: 'Sad to hear Scott Mills has been sacked. I don't hold a grudge but I remember names.' The tweet quickly garnered attention, with one user calling it 'Tweet of the day! Fabulously bitter!' while another commented: 'Total respect for this level of petty and holding a well earned grudge.'
Confusion and Backlash Over BBC Decision
The dismissal has sparked confusion and debate, with media personalities questioning the timing and justification. Piers Morgan posted: 'I don't understand. He was investigated by police 10yrs ago over alleged offences 25+ years ago, but no action was taken and case was closed. Now he gets instantly fired over same thing? The BBC needs to explain why, surely?'
Jeremy Vine, Mills' Radio 2 colleague, called the sacking 'unfair' during his Tuesday show, insisting: 'There's been no crime.' He suggested bosses may have acted due to regrets over their handling of the Huw Edwards scandal, referencing the recent Channel 5 docudrama about the disgraced former BBC newsreader.
Charity Severs Ties and Personal Fallout
In the aftermath, children's cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK announced it would 'part ways' with Mills, who had been a patron since 2021. Friends report that Mills has 'gone to ground' since the dismissal, with one source telling the Mirror: 'The show was his life and he is facing oblivion.'
The BBC issued an apology for not following up on a separate allegation of 'inappropriate communications' by Mills raised by a journalist last year. Director of music Lorna Clarke informed staff via email that Mills had left 'suddenly and unexpectedly,' acknowledging the shock this would cause both colleagues and listeners.
Career Trajectory and Legacy
Scott Mills joined BBC Radio 1 in 1998 after working in local radio, rising to host the afternoon slot from 2004 to 2022 before moving to Radio 2. He took over the coveted Radio 2 Breakfast Show from Zoe Ball in January 2023. His career included appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, The Masked Singer, and Eurovision coverage.
Steve Brookstein, meanwhile, shot to fame after winning The X Factor in 2004 and has released three albums: Heart and Soul (2005), 40,000 Things (2006), and Forgotten Man (2014). His tweet highlights lingering tensions from past interactions with Mills, adding a personal dimension to the professional scandal.
The BBC maintains it will not comment further on individual matters, stating only that Mills is 'no longer contracted to work with the BBC.' As the controversy unfolds, questions remain about the corporation's handling of historical allegations and the impact on both Mills' career and public perception.
