Scott Mills has been removed from his BBC role following a tense meeting with executives, just five days after a complaint surfaced linked to a 2016 police investigation into serious sexual offenses against a teenage boy.
Swift Action by Broadcaster
The dismissal occurred on Monday after Mills was taken off air from Radio 2. Sources indicate the broadcaster responded quickly to the complaint lodged last Tuesday, which pertains to the same individual involved in the earlier inquiry. Mills was interviewed under caution during the 2016 probe, but authorities dropped the case due to lack of evidence.
A source familiar with the situation revealed: “An allegation was made against Scott last Tuesday, and he was called in for a meeting. He was taken off the air from Radio 2 the following day, and his contract was terminated over the weekend. It was a very fast process between the complaint being raised and Scott leaving. It happened in less than five days.”
Tense Encounter and Aftermath
During the meeting with senior staff, Mills learned of the allegation amid a highly charged atmosphere. A source close to him noted: “Scott was told about the allegation in a meeting with senior staff present. He was tense. He has completely shut down now and no one can get hold of him. No calls, no messages – nothing. The people who know him are blindsided by all of this.”
Mills appeared unaware of the impending action, signing off his Tuesday show by telling successor Vernon Kay, “See you tomorrow.” Staff at Radio 2 and other stations initially believed his Wednesday absence was due to personal reasons.
Shock Waves Across BBC
The news stunned colleagues throughout the BBC. Sources describe palpable shock at Broadcasting House in London. The broadcaster shared the update internally with radio staff rather than issuing a company-wide press release, leaving many outside the radio division to learn via news sites.
Lorna Clarke, BBC director of music, addressed staff in a statement: “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.”
She 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.”
