It’s been reported that Scott Mills was abruptly fired from the BBC after a complaint about a police investigation into ‘serious sexual offences against a teenage boy.’
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Mirror: ‘In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.
‘The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy.’
‘A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.
‘Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.’
According to a spokesperson, a man in his 40s was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
The allegations, which did not result in any charges, were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.
A previous statement from the BBC yesterday 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 2025 after replacing Zoe Ball on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
The Mirror also shared a statement from Lorna Clarke, Director of Music, which had been sent to staff ahead of the ‘unexpected’ news on Monday.
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 Mills’ 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.’
Following her initial address, the BBC’s acting boss, Rhodri Talfan Davies, sent a message of his own, saying: ‘I just want to recognise the pressure this puts on [the Radio 2 team], many of whom have worked with Scott for many years.
‘Of course, it will also be a shock to our audience and loyal Radio 2 Breakfast Show listeners.
‘The Radio 2 team will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when they are able to. As Lorna Clarke, our Director of Music, acknowledged in an earlier message to her team, this will come as a shock to many of you, given Scott’s profile and the sudden nature of this announcement.’
He added, as reported by Deadline, that he hopes staff ‘all understand that we are not able to share any more information.’
A familiar voice on the BBC for decades, Mills first joined Radio 1 in 1998, hosting the early breakfast slot before going on to launch his most recognisable show in 2004.
He later fronted Radio 1’s Official Chart from 2018 to 2022, stepping into the role previously held by Greg James.
After 24 years at Radio 1, Mills moved to Radio 2, taking over the weekday afternoon 2pm–4pm slot from the late Steve Wright.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
The BBC confirmed he would become the new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show at the beginning of last year, with Mills officially stepping into the role on Monday, January 27, 2025.
On his show on March 24, he ended the broadcast by saying, ‘Back tomorrow!’ before handing over to Vernon Kay.
Gary Davies, 68, took Mills’ usual slot the next morning, merely saying he would be ‘in for Scott until Thursday this week’ without revealing any other details.
Two weeks ago, it was revealed that Mills would co-host Race Across the World: The Detour alongside Alfie Watts, following his win on the celebrity edition in 2024 with his now-husband, Sam Vaughan.
The podcast had been planned as a weekly companion to the upcoming series, which starts on Thursday, April 2.
Meanwhile, his show with Rylan Clark, Pop Top 10, had also been confirmed to return with a fresh run, including extra episodes and a new format for YouTube.
Mills has also filmed an episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer, set to air on Channel 4 next month, though it remains unclear whether it will still be broadcast.
More recently, he made an appearance in the EastEnders 2026 New Year’s edition, which featured a flash-forward set a year ahead.
Metro has contacted representatives for Scott Mills and The BBC for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.