The BBC has apologised after admitting it failed to properly investigate allegations about Scott Mills that were raised with the broadcaster last year. The Radio 2 presenter was sacked on Monday over his “personal conduct”, and it later emerged he had been questioned over separate allegations of serious sexual offences against a boy under 16 in 2018, though the case was closed due to lack of evidence.
According to The Telegraph, a freelance journalist contacted the BBC in May 2025 with information about “inappropriate communications” involving Mills. She asked whether the broadcaster was aware of any related matters or had received formal or informal complaints about the presenter concerning safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment. The BBC did not respond to her query.
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.” The spokesperson added that the BBC urges anyone with concerns to raise them with the corporation.
Mills, 53, was taken off air last week and his contract terminated on Monday. The Mirror reported that his sacking related to a 2016 police investigation into alleged serious sexual offences against a teenage boy between 1997 and 2000. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man in his 40s was questioned under caution in July 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to charge, and the case was closed in May 2019.
Following his dismissal, the charity Neuroblastoma UK announced it had parted ways with Mills as a patron. A spokesperson said the decision was made after his dismissal from the BBC, thanking him for his support to date. Mills had taken over the Radio 2 breakfast show in January 2025, growing its audience to 6.5 million listeners.
