The BBC has announced its coverage team for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, following the departure of Scott Mills, who was dismissed last month over historical allegations of serious sexual offences.
Scott Mills' Dismissal
Scott Mills, 53, was fired by the BBC after an allegation of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy under 16, said to have occurred between 1997 and 2000 when Mills was in his mid-20s. He was questioned under caution by police in 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service rejected the case in 2019 due to insufficient evidence. The BBC admitted it knew of the allegations as early as 2017. Mills lost his Radio 2 Breakfast Show and other commitments, including his Eurovision role, which he had held since 2011.
In a statement, Mills said he fully cooperated with the police investigation and expressed gratitude for the support from colleagues and listeners, while declining further public comment.
Eurovision 2026 Coverage Team
The BBC has now confirmed the lineup for Eurovision 2026. Sara Cox, 51, will host the semi-finals for Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, having recently taken over the breakfast show. Rylan Clark will handle regular hosting duties for television and iPlayer, joined this year by Angela Scanlon. Graham Norton will present the live grand finale on BBC One on Saturday, May 16, where the UK entry, LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER, will perform the song Eins, Zwei, Drei.
Graham Norton commented: "It feels really special to be back, gently guiding viewers through the Grand Final in this very momentous 70th anniversary year." Rylan added: "It's the 70th Eurovision Song Contest and the biggest show on the planet. Being part of anything this big is something younger me could never have imagined." Angela Scanlon said: "It feels like joining the greatest party on earth – equal parts thrilling and terrifying! I grew up watching the Eurovision Song Contest with my three sisters, making very serious (and wildly biased) scorecards from the couch, so to now be part of it – especially in its 70th year – is genuinely surreal."
Former Drag Race UK winner Tia Kofi will present the BBC's digital coverage.
Reaction to Mills' Departure
Sources close to Mills described him as the "nicest man in showbiz" and expressed concern for his mental health. His husband Sam, whom he married in 2024, has been a great source of support. Lorna Clarke, Director of Music, informed staff that Mills had left the Breakfast show and the BBC, acknowledging the shock this would cause to colleagues and listeners.
