BBC Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills Sacked Over Historical Sexual Offence Allegations
BBC bosses have terminated the contract of Radio 2 Breakfast show host Scott Mills within days of receiving a complaint against him, citing allegations related to his "personal conduct." The decision follows revelations that the complaint is connected to a 2016 Metropolitan Police investigation into "serious sexual offences" against a teenage boy, who was under the age of 16.
Swift Action and Tense Meeting
Sources indicate that the BBC acted rapidly, sacking Mills just five days after the complaint was lodged. The radio DJ was summoned to a "tense" meeting with executives last Monday, where he faced the allegations. He was subsequently taken off air the following day, and his contract was formally axed over the weekend.
Mills hosted his final Radio 2 Breakfast show on Tuesday, March 24, where he told listeners, "I should probably go, I'll try again tomorrow," suggesting he may have believed he would return. However, he was abruptly replaced by colleague Gary Davies without further warning.
Police Investigation Details
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that an investigation was launched in December 2016 into allegations reported to have occurred between 1997 and 2000, a period when Mills was working at BBC Radio 1. A man in his 40s at the time was interviewed under caution in July 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case in May 2019 due to insufficient evidence to bring charges.
The BBC stated that director general Tony Hall was not aware of the allegations at the time, and the corporation has updated the complainant following Mills' dismissal.
Shock and Reaction Within the BBC
The announcement of Mills' sacking sent shockwaves through Broadcasting House, with audible gasps heard among staff. Director of Music Lorna Clarke sent a blistering email to colleagues, describing the news as "sudden and unexpected" and acknowledging the impact on loyal listeners.
Colleagues expressed their dismay, with Dermot O'Leary calling Radio 2 "a family" and stating that the dismissal came as a "complete shock." Jeremy Vine, who broke the news on air, labeled the sacking as unfair, arguing that there had been "no crime" and suggesting it might be linked to regrets over the BBC's handling of the Huw Edwards case.
Mills' Current Situation and Speculation Over Successor
Since the decision, Mills has reportedly "gone to ground," with friends struggling to contact him. A pal described him as "devastated," noting that "the show was his life and he is facing oblivion."
As speculation mounts over his replacement, bookies have seen odds shift rapidly. Vernon Kay is now the favorite at 2/1, followed by Sara Cox at 3/1, with Rylan Clark's odds tumbling from 12/1 to 4/1 due to increased support. Other contenders include Clara Amfo at 4/1 and Claudia Winkleman at 5/1.
The BBC has declined to comment further on individual matters, stating only that Mills is no longer contracted to work with the broadcaster. The timing of his exit coincides with the release of a Channel 5 drama about Huw Edwards, with some sources suggesting it may not be a coincidence, as bosses seek a "reckoning" in light of past controversies.
