Who could replace Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2? Latest odds reveal frontrunner

After Scott Mills’ sudden firing, speculation over who will take over his radio and hosting duties has already started.

It was revealed this week that the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show presenter was fired following allegations over his ‘personal conduct’, which allegedly relate to a ‘historic relationship dating back more than 10 years’.

It soon came to light that Mills was questioned by police in 2018 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16, and that while the BBC knew about the allegations at the time, they only recently became aware of the alleged victim’s age.

Mills had been one of the highest-paid presenters at the BBC, with a salary of £315,000 to £319,999 in 2025 after replacing Zoe Ball on the Breakfast Show.

It’s understood that Mills will not be involved in any of his upcoming BBC projects, from his popular morning radio show to Eurovision coverage. So who will take over his beloved show?

Favourite to take over on Radio 2 is presenter Vernon Kay, according to bookmaker Coral, who now make him odds-on at 1-2 after strong support for the broadcaster.

Kay, 51, is no stranger to the station and currently hosts the mid-morning show, having taken over from Ken Bruce in 2023.

Not far behind is Gary Davies at 3-1, who stepped in for Mills this week and is best known as a regular presenter of Top of the Pops.

He’s become the go-to stand-in across Radio 2 after returning to the air in 2018 with Sounds of the 80s, which is live every Saturday night.

Davies, 68, took Mills’ usual slot on the morning the news of Mills’ firing broke, merely saying he would be ‘in for Scott until Thursday this week’ without revealing any other details.

Rylan Clark is also among the frontrunners at 7-2 to land the role.

‘Vernon Kay is proving very popular in our betting to become the next host of the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show. The man from Bolton is now odds-on to take over the slot from Scott Mills,’ said Coral’s John Hill.

Mills was set to return to Eurovision this year alongside Rylan, having been a commentator for the semi-finals previously.

The pair also have a podcast, Pop Top 10, which the BBC recently announced would be returning for another series, the future of which is now unknown.

Also in the mix are comedian Joe Wilkinson at 10/1 and Taskmaster star Alex Horne at 20/1 to replace him ‘on one of the flagship BBC Radio shows.’

Mills issued a statement yesterday confirming he had been spoken to by the police, following an allegation of a ‘historic sexual offence’.

The full statement issued through his lawyers reads: ‘The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation.

‘In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me.

‘An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018.

‘As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.

‘Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.’

He concluded: ‘I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss.’

A version of this article was originally published on March 30, 2026.

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