Scott Mills' BBC Shows Removed from iPlayer and Spotify Following Sudden Sacking
Programmes hosted by veteran radio presenter Scott Mills have been abruptly removed from both BBC iPlayer and Spotify in the aftermath of his sudden dismissal from the BBC. The 53-year-old DJ, who presented his final Radio 2 breakfast show last Tuesday, was sacked over the weekend due to what the BBC described as "allegations about his personal conduct."
Police Investigation and Removal of Content
It has since emerged that Mills was questioned by police under caution in 2018 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000. Although Mills was not charged with any criminal offence and the case was closed due to insufficient evidence, the revelation has intensified scrutiny around his departure.
As news of his sacking continued to reverberate through the BBC, several of Mills' digital offerings were quietly taken offline. His "Top Picks" page on BBC iPlayer, which curated a selection of his favourite films and shows as featured on his Radio 2 breakfast programme, has been completely removed from the streaming platform.
Additionally, his short podcast series produced in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, titled "Under the Bonnet: On the Road," has been deleted from Spotify, according to reports from The Daily Mail. Notably, the podcast remains available on Apple Podcasts, highlighting the selective nature of the content removal.
BBC's Internal Response and Apology
The BBC announced Mills' departure on Monday, with the news leading the midday bulletin on Radio 2. In an email circulated to staff, Lorna Clarke, the BBC's director of music, acknowledged the shock of the sudden development, stating: "I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock. Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV."
Clarke further noted that the dismissal would also impact loyal listeners, promising to provide updates on future plans for the show when possible. On Tuesday, the BBC reported on the previously closed police investigation into Mills, revealing that neither the broadcaster nor then-director general Tony Hall were reportedly aware of the inquiry at the time.
Allegations and BBC's Admission of Failure
Former presenter Anna Brees informed The Daily Telegraph that she had contacted the BBC last May with information regarding alleged "inappropriate communications" involving Mills but received no response. In a statement to The Independent, the BBC admitted to a procedural failure, saying: "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 swift removal of Mills' content from major platforms underscores the BBC's decisive action in distancing itself from the presenter amid the ongoing controversy. The situation continues to unfold, with further developments expected as the corporation investigates its handling of the allegations.
