Comedian Jack Whitehall made a pointed reference to Scott Mills' controversial dismissal from BBC Radio 2 during his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live UK this weekend. The joke came as Whitehall discussed the escalating costs of his upcoming wedding to fiancée Roxy Horner.
Whitehall's Wedding Joke References Axed DJ
While complaining about wedding expenses during his SNL monologue, Whitehall quipped: "It is honestly out of control. The flowers, the canapes, the band. We only went and booked bloody Scott Mills as the wedding DJ. Not seeing that deposit again." The remark drew laughter from the studio audience while highlighting Mills' sudden removal from public engagements.
BBC's Controversial Decision
Scott Mills was dismissed by the BBC recently, just six days after being pulled off air following his final Radio 2 breakfast show. The corporation admitted it had been aware of a police investigation into Mills since 2017 but only terminated his contract after "new information" emerged last week.
The investigation centered on allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy under 16, dating back to between 1997 and 2000. The Metropolitan Police investigated the claims in 2016, but the Crown Prosecution Service closed the case in 2019 due to insufficient evidence.
Mills' Statement and Fallout
In a statement issued through his lawyers to the Daily Mail, Mills confirmed he was the subject of the investigation but emphasized that no charges were brought. "As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges," the statement read.
Since his dismissal, Mills has lost multiple professional engagements including:
- A £190,000-per-year pantomime contract
- An appearance on The Great Celebrity Bake Off
- A DJ set at Ibiza Symphonica in Harrogate this summer
Additionally, episodes of Top Of The Pops featuring Mills from his 1999 presenting stint appear to have been removed from circulation.
BBC's Internal Response
Sources indicate that many within the BBC are maintaining silence regarding the circumstances of Mills' dismissal. The star himself is reportedly "fragile" following his termination from the corporation where he earned between £355,000 and £359,999 annually as host of Radio 2's flagship breakfast show.
Mills had taken over the prestigious morning slot from Zoe Ball in 2025 and, alongside his now-husband Sam, won the second celebrity series of Race Across The World in 2024. The BBC cited "personal conduct" as grounds for dismissal but declined to provide further details about what specific new information prompted the action.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges media organizations face when historical allegations resurface against high-profile personalities, particularly when previous investigations resulted in no charges being filed.
