Over the past 22 years, Scott Mills has been a mainstay on the BBC airwaves.
In 2004 he started presenting his titular show on BBC Radio 1, which he hosted until 2022 before eventually moving to host BBC Radio 2’s flagship breakfast show in 2025.
But just over a year since he took over that slot from Zoe Ball, he’s now been sacked by the national broadcaster.
This morning it was announced that the radio DJ and TV presenter had been fired following allegations over his ‘personal conduct’, which allegedly relate to a ‘historic relationship dating back more than 10 years’.
A statement from the BBC said: ‘While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.’
The 53-year-old presenter was one of the highest-paid at the BBC, with a salary of £315,000 to £319,999 in 2024. While no further details related to his firing have yet been released, here’s everything we know about his decades long career in the public eye.
Why did Scott Mills first join the BBC?
Scott began his DJ career aged 16 on Hampshire’s Power FM after sending demo tapes to the station. He was first given an opportunity to present a week’s worth of shows, with their success then seeing him offered the ‘graveyard slot’ of 1am-6am six nights a week.
That job then saw him become the youngest permanent presenter on mainstream commercial radio. He later moved to the late afternoon ‘drive time’ slot.
He later moved to GWR FM Bristol for two years, before going on to work at Piccadilly Key 103 in Manchester, and then Heart 106.2.
Three years later he was approached by Radio 1, which he joined in 1998 to present the early breakfast show.
Ever since, he climbed the ranks of the station. In 2004, Scott moved to a weekend afternoon slot and later that year settled in the weekday early evening slot, which he took over from Sara Cox when she went on maternity leave.
He stayed in this post as a permanent presenter, and the slot was renamed The Scott Mills Show. In 2012, Scott switching presenting duties with Greg James, and his show was moved to the afternoon.
Throughout his time at the BBC, Scott also regularly stepped in for Radio 2 presenters in their absence, eventually taking over Steve Wright’s Radio 2 afternoon slot in 2022.
When did he take over the Breakfast show?
In November 2024 it was announced that Scott would be taking over from Zoe, who had been hosting Radio 2’s Breakfast show for six years.
Speaking after his new role was confirmed, Scott said he ‘couldn’t wait’ to wake up with the nation each morning.
He described it as a ‘huge honour’ to ‘walk in the footsteps of Sir Terry Wogan, Chris Evans, and Zoe.’
‘When I started doing shows in my bedroom just for my mum when I was eight. Or joined hospital radio at 12. Or got my first proper radio show at the age of 16; you just never think that it would ever turn out like this,’ Scott recalled.
‘I’m thrilled. I’m overwhelmed by all the love. I still can’t quite believe it.’
The same month he took over the job, Scott defended the huge salary he was receiving.
‘I’ve been doing this since I was 16 and I’ll tell you how much I got paid then — £20 a show. And it was a five-hour show in the middle of the night, 1 until 6am,’ he told The Sun.
‘Obviously, there’s always curiosity around salaries because they get published every year.
‘But I don’t think you can say that I haven’t played the long game.’
However, the presenter once admitted he should have been fired from his Radio 1 show after being drunk on air while on the night shift.
Scott, who has suffered from chronic anxiety, depression and panic attacks all his life, previously explained he was lucky not to be sacked in 2001 when his boyfriend Mitch died suddenly – but said the BBC supported him as he faced the devastating loss.
Does Scott Mills have a partner?
In June 2024, Scott married his partner Sam Vaughan, whom he’d met in 2016 and started dating a year later.
Although it was love at first sight for Scott, he previously explained how Sam wasn’t ‘ready’ to take the leap.
‘The more time we spent together, the more I could see we were right for each other. I just needed him to see that too,’ he told The Times.
‘So, when we had the conversation about taking it forward and he said “I’m not ready”, I was devastated. Being friends with someone you’re in love with doesn’t work. We didn’t speak for six months.’
However, after reconnecting, they started dating and moved in together in 2020 before getting engaged the following year.
‘After 4 years together, I’m delighted to say we got engaged at the weekend. As Sam knows, I always said I didn’t think I would ever get married. But then I met you Sam,’ Scott shared on social media at the time.
‘You make me laugh every single day, you support me in so many ways, and I adore everything about you. As soon as I met you, I knew this could be something special and it is (after a slow start),’ Scott wrote.
‘We’ve had some amazing times, and I’m bursting with happiness to know we will have so many more. I love you with all my heart.’
They then tied the knot at Xalet Del Nin – a Mediterranean villa which faced the Balearic sea on the coast near Barcelona nearly two years ago.
‘We both had the most incredible day. To celebrate with all our close friends and family in Spain was so special. We are looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together,’ Scott said soon after.
What do we know about why Scott Mills was sacked?
While no details about the reason for Scott’s sacking have been announced, the BBC has confirmed he no longer works for them.
On the show yesterday, he ended the broadcast by saying ‘Back tomorrow!’ before handing over to Vernon Kay.
Gary Davies took Mills’ usual slot this morning, merely saying he would be ‘in for Scott until Thursday this week’ without revealing any other details.
The Mirror shared a statement from director of music Lorna Clarke, which had been sent to staff ahead of the ‘unexpected’ news.
It read: ‘I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC. I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.
‘Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.’
Reflecting on Scott’s position within the BBC, the email added: ‘Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to.
‘While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.’
Scott has not made a statement yet about his exit, with his last post on Instagram a clip from his interview with Louis Tomlinson last week.
Just two weeks ago he was announced as a host for Race Across the World: The Detour with Alfie Watts podcast, having won the celebrity version in 2024 with his now-husband.
He had also been set to act as a commentator for the BBC’s coverage of Eurovision, which will be held in May.
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