Former BBC Colleague Slams 'Fear-Driven' Sacking of Scott Mills
A former colleague of Scott Mills has spoken out about the BBC's decision to sack the 53-year-old radio presenter, criticising the broadcaster's handling of the controversy as "driven by fear" rather than proper process.
Sudden Departure After Police Investigation
The nation was shocked when Scott Mills was suddenly taken off air last week after hosting his final show on Tuesday, March 24. The Mirror revealed that Mills had been questioned in 2018 over historical allegations of serious sexual offences dating back to between 1997 and 2000.
The police investigation began in 2016 and was closed in 2019 after the Crown Prosecution Service determined there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the teenage boy at the centre of the investigation was under 16.
On Wednesday, April 1, The Mirror reported that the BBC had terminated Mills' contract after receiving compelling new information. The broadcaster later confirmed the report, pledging to "do more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time."
Ex-Colleague Demands Transparency
Now, former BBC radio DJ Nihal Arthanayake has criticised the broadcaster's approach. The 54-year-old, who worked at the BBC for more than two decades before leaving last year, appeared on Good Morning Britain to share his perspective.
"In my experience, the BBC and how it reacts to issues - I only left the BBC last year," Arthanayake said. "My take on that is that it's fear. It's absolutely driven by fear. Is there due process? Is there transparency?"
He continued: "I'd be interested to see more transparency from the BBC and the process they went through to get to this decision. I'm telling you from someone who worked within the BBC for over two decades, a lot of the decisions, especially I think under the leadership of Tim Davie, they're just fear driven. They're terrified. 'Oh my gosh it's the papers, what shall we do? Right, just get rid of it, get rid of it as quickly as possible.'"
Mills' Personal Impact and Career Fallout
After learning of his dismissal, Mills reportedly left London to spend his birthday with his mother Sandra, who suffers from multiple sclerosis. An onlooker described him as looking "solemn" upon returning home.
Friends say Mills is devastated by the decision following what have been described as "tense" talks with BBC bosses. "The show was his life and he is facing oblivion," one friend told The Mirror. The news came as a complete surprise to those in his life, who were unaware of both the dismissal and the earlier police investigation.
Until his dismissal, Mills was the 11th highest-paid talent at the BBC, earning between £355,000 and £359,999 in the year leading up to April 2025.
Wider Consequences and Charity Departures
The fallout from Mills' dismissal extends beyond his BBC role. Neuroblastoma UK, a charity for which he served as patron, has parted ways with him. A spokesperson stated: "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 remains a patron for the MS Society, which has said it is "following developments closely." His name has also been removed from a motorway service bridge at M3 Fleet service station, with sources suggesting Welcome Break will likely rename the bridge given the circumstances.
Additionally, Mills' Pop Top 10 podcast with friend Rylan Clark has been taken off air, and he has lost his position hosting The Detour podcast for Race Across The World, with former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Tyler West replacing him.
Mills Breaks Silence Through Lawyers
On Wednesday, Mills issued a statement through his lawyers addressing the situation. "The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation," he said. "In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me."
He continued: "An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018. 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."
Mills added: "Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed 7 years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter. I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss."
