BBC Executives Remove Scott Mills from Podcast in Drastic Action After Sudden Termination
Scott Mills has been hit with a further setback after his abrupt dismissal from BBC Radio 2. The former breakfast show presenter was let go by the BBC over the weekend and now seems to have been eliminated from other forthcoming BBC initiatives.
The announcement that Mills had been axed from BBC Radio 2 emerged on 30 March. The Mirror previously disclosed that Mills' termination was connected to a 2016 police inquiry and the teenage boy involved in it.
On 1 April, the BBC verified that they were "made aware in 2017 of the existence of an ongoing police investigation which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge being made" but that they "obtained new information relating to Scott" and "as a result, the BBC acted decisively."
Impact on Podcast and Television Roles
Many speculated whether this would affect Mills' position as the host of the BBC's Race Across The World podcast for the upcoming series. Mills, who triumphed in the celebrity edition with his husband Sam Vaughn in 2024, was removed from Radio 2 just days before the sixth season of Race Across The World was scheduled to commence.
When questioned by the Mirror if Mills would still participate in the podcast or in the EastEnders New Year's special, where he was due to deliver a radio shout-out to Max Branning (Jake Wood), the BBC stated: "We can confirm he is no longer contracted to work on any BBC projects."
The Race Across The World podcast is not the sole one Mills was involved with; he also presented a four-part series titled Mercedes Benz Vans Under the Bonnet: On the Road last year. However, the 2025 series has been deleted from Spotify. Although the link to the podcast, which covered topics from road conditions to mental health, remains on Google, clicking it directs to a Spotify page that reads: "Couldn't find that podcast. Search for something else?"
Charity and Eurovision Hosting Changes
Following his dismissal, Mills was also removed as a patron of the children's cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK. A spokesperson informed The Mirror: "Following his dismissal from the BBC, Neuroblastoma UK have taken the decision to part ways with Scott Mills, and he is no longer a Patron of our charity."
"We have communicated this decision to Scott and his team, and would like to thank him for his support to date. We remain unwavering in our mission to fund research to find better treatments, and a cure, for neuroblastoma."
Additionally, he has been substituted as a Eurovision host by fellow Radio 2 personalities Sara Cox and Rylan Clark. Mills typically provides commentary on the Eurovision semi-finals but will not do so this year, with Cox and Clark assuming the role, as reported by The Sun. The Mirror has reached out to representatives for Sara and Rylan for comment.
BBC's Statement on the Decision
The BBC told the Mirror regarding their choice to sack Mills: "Scott Mills had a long career across the BBC, he was hugely popular and we know the news this week has come as a shock and surprise to many."
"We also recognise there’s been much speculation in the media and online since Monday. We hope people understand that there is a limit to what we can say because we have to be mindful of the rights of those involved."
"What we can confirm is that in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him. As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values and terminated his contracts on Friday 27 March."
"The BBC has made a significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards. Last year, following an independent culture review, we set out the behavioural expectations for everyone who works with or for the BBC and we were clear action would be taken if these were not met."
"Separately, we can confirm the BBC was made aware in 2017 of the existence of an ongoing police investigation, which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge being made. We are doing more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time."
