The BBC has apologised for its response after allegations about Scott Mills were raised with the broadcaster last year. The corporation admitted it should have followed up on a press query received in May 2025 that asked about 'inappropriate communications' involving the Radio 2 presenter.
Mills was sacked with immediate effect by the BBC on Monday over his 'personal conduct'. It later emerged that he had been questioned over separate allegations of serious sexual offences against a boy under 16 in 2018, but the case was closed due to lack of evidence.
A freelance journalist contacted the BBC in May 2025 with information about separate allegations of 'inappropriate communications' and asked whether the broadcaster had ever received any complaints about Mills relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment. The journalist did not receive a response. A BBC spokesperson said: 'We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information. This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.'
Mills, who hosted the UK's most popular radio breakfast show on BBC Radio 2, was taken off air last week before his contract was terminated. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that in December 2016 it began an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy, reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000. A man in his 40s was questioned under caution in July 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service determined there was insufficient evidence to bring charges, and the investigation was closed in May 2019.
After his sacking, the charity Neuroblastoma UK announced it had parted ways with Mills, who had been a patron. The charity said: 'Following his dismissal from the BBC, Neuroblastoma UK have taken the decision to part ways with Scott Mills, and he is no longer a patron of our charity.' Mills joined Radio 2 in 2022 and took over the breakfast show in January 2025, attracting 6.5 million listeners. His dismissal is the latest crisis to hit the BBC over alleged behaviour by leading figures, after scandals involving Huw Edwards and Tim Westwood.
