The BBC has revealed who will replace Scott Mills in hosting the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals – and their identity might surprise you.
Former radio broadcaster Mills, 53, was sensationally dismissed by the BBC last month due to allegations made about his ‘personal conduct’ and in relation to a ‘historic relationship’.
It later transpired that Mills had been questioned by the Metropolitan Police in 2018 over alleged ‘serious sexual offences’ against a teenage boy under the age of 16 between 1997 and 2000, when Mills was in his mid-twenties.
There was ‘insufficient evidence’ for any prosecution, and the investigation was officially closed in May 2019. Though aware of the matter itself since 2017, the BBC reportedly axed Mills upon learning the age of his alleged victim, with outgoing director general Tim Davie telling staff it was ‘very clear’ he had to go.
Mills has kept a low profile in the weeks since the news broke, but his sacking did open up a slot for a new Eurovision presenter.
Now, it has been confirmed that Irish broadcaster and former Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Scanlon will step in.
She will join returning commentator and Eurovision aficionado Rylan Clark to helm the live broadcasts of the semi-finals from the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna, Austria, since the country emerged victorious last year.
Both semis will air on BBC One and on iPlayer as the entries perform to secure a place in the grand final.
The first semi-final takes place on Tuesday, May 12, and the second follows on Thursday, May 14, both at 8pm. The live final will take place on Saturday, May 16.
Speaking of joining the Eurovision team, Scanlon, 42, known for her reporting on The One Show, podcast with pal Vicky Pattison, and finishing sixth on Strictly in 2023, 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,’ she added.
‘It’s one of those shows that’s always been there, evolving but never losing its magic or madness.
What has Scott Mills said about his firing?
Scott Mills has only spoken out publicly once since he was fired from the BBC, releasing a statement reading: ‘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 the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment.’
‘I’ve been lucky enough to dip my toe into the Eurovision world before, so it feels great to be doing it again, just with higher heels and a few more sequins!’
Co-host Rylan added that the celebrations for Eurovision’s big 7-0 will mark the ‘biggest show on the planet’.
‘Being part of anything this big is something younger me could never have imagined,’ said the This Morning star.
Hosted from the venue by Austrian stars Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski, the semi-finals will also see performances from the pre-qualified ‘Big Four’ (Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom), plus interval acts.
After 10 entrants are eliminated from the competition, the line-up of 25 competitors will be complete, with one set to take home the Eurovision 2026 trophy.
Following a rough few years for the UK in the contest, hoping to pull it back this time will be Sam Battle, who performs as Look Mum No Computer.
The musician and electronics enthusiast will take to the stage with his tune Eins, Zwei, Drei, which Mills compared to songs like Now You’re Gone by Basshunter or Parklife by Blur when the ex-DJ played it for the first time on his show in March.
Mills first became part of the BBC’s Eurovision presentation team in 2011, when he hosted the semi-finals live from Düsseldorf, Germany, with Rylan joining him in 2018.
As for the rest of the Eurovision’s coverage this year, Sara Cox will bring listeners all the semi-final action via BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
While she was recently announced as the new Breakfast Show host in the wake of close friend Mills’ sudden exit, Cox will not start the gig until summer, meaning her Eurovision coverage will feature on her teatime show, live from Vienna.
Then, of course, Graham Norton will return to commentate on the finale, inevitably bringing more of his famous witty comments and Eurovision expertise.
The seasoned broadcaster, who has been the grand final commentator since 2009, succeeding Sir Terry Wogan, said it feels ‘really special to be back, gently guiding viewers through the grand final in this very momentous 70th anniversary year.’
Coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will air across the BBC in May.
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