Scott Mills photographed in 2025. Courtesy of Getty The BBC has admitted that it was made aware of a prior police investigation into one of its most famous radio presenters in 2017, and that he was fired after “new information” came to light.
In a move that has shocked the U.K., Scott Mills was sacked this week from his role as host of the most beloved breakfast show in the country on Radio 2. He had signed off on Tuesday, March 24, telling audiences: “Back tomorrow” — so whatever occurred behind the scenes was a sudden development.
The corporation initially said he was let go over “personal conduct.” The British press and social media users, unsurprisingly, immediately went into a frenzy speculating over why his departure was so swift.
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In the last few days, it has been confirmed that the now-53-year-old was questioned by police over historical allegations — dating from 1997 to 2000, when Mills was in his 20s — of “serious sexual offences” against a boy who was under the age of 16 at the time.
The police opened the investigation into these claims in 2016, and the BBC was made aware in 2017 (though, BBC News has said, then-director-general Tony Hall did not know about the investigation). Mills was probed about the allegations in 2018, but the case was dropped a year later. No charges were brought after prosecutors deemed there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
The star has not yet publicly commented on the news, and his team had not responded to requests for comment from The Hollywood Reporter at the time of publication.
On Wednesday, a BBC spokesperson told THR: “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 recognize 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,” they continued. “As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values and terminated his contracts on Friday, 27 March.”
“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 [sic] of what was known by the BBC at this time,” the spokesperson added. They referenced the BBC’s “significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards,” including an independent culture review last year.
On Tuesday, the BBC also apologized for not looking into a separate claim of “inappropriate communications” involving Mills, first reported in the Telegraph. This allegation was brought up by a freelance journalist in 2025.
Mills is one of the U.K.’s most prominent radio presenters, having worked at the BBC for more than 25 years. He is the broadcaster’s 11th highest-paid employee, earning over £350,000 ($465,000) a year — and that’s before he became host of Radio 2’s breakfast show in January 2025. His TV work includes commentary on the Eurovision Song Contest and Strictly Come Dancing.
It presents a fresh headache for the BBC, which has been dealing with several controversial scandals around its on-screen stars for some years. Among the more recent fiascos is the criminal conviction of ex-BBC News anchor Huw Edwards on child sex abuse image charges and inappropriate behavior allegations against former MasterChef star Gregg Wallace.
Mills’ sacking is said to be one of the final decisions of outgoing BBC boss Tim Davie, who passes the reins to interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies this week. Davies is walking into yet another crisis.
In May, ex-Google chief Matt Brittin will begin his stint in the top job, and he faces an uphill battle in rebuilding public trust in the corporation. News such as this is often what makes the role one of the hardest in the British media — THR took a look at his accolades last week.
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