The BBC has apologised after failing to properly follow up on allegations about Scott Mills 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 in 2018 over serious sexual offences against a boy under 16, but the case was closed due to lack of evidence.
The Telegraph reported that a freelance journalist contacted the BBC in May 2025 with information about separate allegations of inappropriate communications involving Mills. The journalist asked whether the broadcaster was aware of any related matters or had received any formal or informal complaints about safeguarding or harassment, but 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.' The broadcaster urged anyone with concerns to come forward.
Mills, 53, was taken off air last week and his contract terminated on Monday. The Mirror reported that his sacking related to a police investigation in 2016 into alleged serious sexual offences against a teenage boy between 1997 and 2000. The Metropolitan Police confirmed a man in his 40s was questioned under caution in July 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service decided the evidential threshold was not met, and the case was closed in May 2019.
Following his dismissal, Neuroblastoma UK confirmed Mills is no longer a patron of the charity. Mills had taken over the Radio 2 breakfast show in January 2025, growing its audience to 6.5 million listeners. His departure is the latest in a series of crises over alleged behaviour by BBC figures, including Huw Edwards and Tim Westwood.
