The BBC has admitted it knew of allegations against Scott Mills almost a year ago but failed to investigate.
The Radio 2 presenter was sacked on Monday over “allegations about his personal conduct”, and it later emerged he was investigated by police in 2016 after claims of “serious sexual offences” against a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000.
Last May, a former BBC presenter told bosses she had information about alleged “inappropriate communications” involving Mills, according to The Telegraph.
Freelance journalist Anna Brees also asked whether the BBC had ever received any complaints about Mills “relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment” and whether it had investigated him.
She reportedly did not receive a response.
The broadcaster told The Independent: “We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information. This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.”
It's understood the claims reported to the corporation last year are separate from those that led to his sacking.
Key Points
- BBC apologises for not investigating separate claims last year
- Scott Mills investigated by police in 2016 for 'serious sexual offences'
- BBC Radio 2 star Scott Mills fired over ‘personal conduct’
- Listen to Scott Mills' final sign off on his last show before BBC sacking
- Radio 2 host tipped as favourite to replace Scott Mills on breakfast show
Dermot O'Leary says Mills sacking was a 'came from nowhere'
06:00 , Holly EvansFellow BBC Radio 2 presenter Dermot O’Leary has said that the firing of Scott Mills has been a “complete shock”.
This Morning anchor O’Leary, who hosts an early-morning weekend slot on Radio 2, said: “This came as a complete shock to everybody, it came from nowhere”.
He said on the ITV daytime show: “As part of the Radio 2 family – and it is a family, everyone gets together, it’s a lovely place to work, it’s very collegiate.”
Clara Amfo tipped as potential replacement for Mills
05:00 , Holly EvansClara Amfo, 41, has been a fixture of British TV and radio over the past decade-plus, having joined BBC Radio 1Xtra in 2013, as host of the weekend breakfast show. In 2015, she succeeded Fearne Cotton as host of the BBC Radio 1 mid-morning show.
She is also known for hosting Radio 1’s Future Sounds series between 2021 and 2024, having taken over the role from Annie Mac.
The big reasons Amfo is being considered a contender are that she is familiar with the BBC, a well-known household name, and is currently available.
Addressing her decision to leave BBC Radio 1, Amfo said last year that she had felt “completely satiated” by the job and wanted to avoid it becoming a “chore”. On television, Amfo is known for presenting at the Brit Awards, Top of the Pops and The One Show.
Watch: Scott Mills 'not returned any contact' following BBC sacking
04:00 , Holly EvansBBC says Scott Mills axed from Eurovision Song Contest coverage
02:00 , Holly EvansScott Mills will no longer commentate during the Eurovision Song Contest, after he was sacked from the BBC over his “personal conduct”.
The former BBC Radio 2 presenter has featured on the semi-finals of the competition since 2011, which airs on BBC One on Tuesday and Thursday in the lead-up to the grand final.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster confirmed Mills is no longer contracted to work on any projects, and 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.”
Read the full article here:
BBC axes Scott Mills from Eurovision coverage as replacement ‘revealed’
Listen to Scott Mills' final sign off on his last show
01:00 , Holly EvansWho will replace Scott Mills as BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host?
00:00 , Holly EvansThere’s a big vacancy going at Radio 2 after the BBC abruptly sacked Scott Mills as host of the weekday breakfast show.
Mills, who stepped in to host the programme after Zoe Ball left in 2024, was fired by the corporation after allegations about his personal conduct.
There’s now a big question mark surrounding who will be recruited as Mills’ full-time replacement. Since the 53-year-old DJ was taken off the air last week, resident Radio 2 stand-in Gary Davies has been hosting the show – but it’s a sure bet the BBC are lining up a household name to take on the role.
Our culture team take a look at the top contenders:
Who will replace Scott Mills as BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host?
Recap: What did the BBC tell Radio 2 staff?
23:00 , Holly EvansIn an email sent to staff on Monday, Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s director of music, wrote: “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.
“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.”
The British radio staple whose shock sacking has left listeners reeling
22:00 , Holly EvansI know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock,” Lorna Clark, the director of music at the BBC, wrote in an email to staff on Monday morning.
She was announcing the sacking of Scott Mills, a long-term BBC DJ who, in January last year, was given the Radio 2 breakfast slot, often seen as the crown jewel of British radio broadcasting.
Today, it has emerged that Mills was investigated by the police in 2016 after allegations of “serious sexual offences” against a teenage boy, dating back to the late Nineties.
The news has blindsided Mills’ colleagues, the rest of the UK’s media and his fans, as for years Mills has been seen as a steady voice through a tumultuous period for BBC radio.
Read the full analysis from Nick Hilton here:
Scott Mills: The radio staple whose shock sacking has left listeners reeling
BBC apologises for not investigating claims last year
21:44 , Jane DaltonThe BBC has apologised for not investigating last year when a journalist told bosses she had information about alleged “inappropriate communications” involving DJ Scott Mills.
She had also asked whether the BBC had ever received any complaints about Mills “relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment”.
She did not receive a response.
The BBC said: “We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information. This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions.
“We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.
“More broadly, we would always urge anyone who has concerns or information to raise it with us.”
The Independent understands last year’s allegations are separate from those for which Mills was sacked.
Watch: BBC is 'driven by fear' of media says former DJ
21:00 , Holly EvansSacking comes during director-general Tim Davie's final week
20:00 , Holly EvansOutgoing director-general Tim Davie will leave the BBC this week, after stepping down due to criticism of a Panorama documentary that appeared to show Donald Trump directly calling for the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
He will be replaced by interim director-general, Rhodri Talfan Davies, on April 2, before former Google boss Matt Brittin becomes permanent director-general on May 18.
It is understood that former director-general Tony Hall was unaware of the allegations against Mills.
Recap: What have the Metropolitan Police said?
19:00 , Holly EvansThe Metropolitan Police confirmed that the teenage boy was under 16.
A spokesperson said: “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. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.
“As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.
“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.”
Scott Mills's career was 'getting bigger and bigger', says former colleague
18:00 , Holly EvansScott Mills’s former Radio 1 colleague Nihal Arthanayake has said that he never heard a “bad word” against him during their time working together.
Asked if there had been rumours about Mills, Arthanayake said: “This industry that we’ve all worked in for a number of years is actually quite small, and if you are ‘a bit of a wrong ‘un’ eventually people just say, in corridors, ‘Oh, he or she’s a bit of a wrong ‘un’.
“In all of my years, 12 years at Radio 1, I didn’t ever hear a bad word said about Scott Mills, I have to just say that. That was the reality, that was my experience and others’ experience, and he worked with a number of production teams across Radio 1.
“And then, of course, interestingly as well, if he had been a complete wrong ‘un, eventually those career opportunities tend to taper off, because people go to different places, and they become higher up the food chain, and people say, ‘We’d rather not work with him’.
“But it was quite the opposite to Scott Mills, his career was getting bigger and bigger and bigger, whether it be Eurovision or Race Across The World.”
Who is Scott Mills?
17:00 , Holly EvansScott Mills began his BBC career on Radio 1 in the late 1990s as the early breakfast host, before going on to present weekend slots and then an early evening show while providing maternity cover for Sara Cox. When Cox did not return, the programme was renamed The Scott Mills Show.
In 2022, he joined Radio 2, replacing Steve Wright in his weekday afternoon slot.
He has presented a number of shows on the station before taking up the Breakfast Show after Ball’s departure.
Mills has also presented a weekend show on Radio 5 Live and appeared on series 12 of Strictly Come Dancing, where he was paired with professional dancer Joanne Clifton, becoming the fifth couple to be eliminated.
He also won Celebrity Race Across The World with his husband in 2024.
Earlier this month, Mills appeared in a Traitors-themed sketch on Comic Relief, and he has also been a commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest on the BBC.
Mills is due to support Boyzone on their Two For The Road gigs in June.
Jeremy Vine reacts to Scott Mills sacking live on BBC Radio 2
16:00 , Holly Evans
Jeremy Vine reacts to Scott Mills sacking live on BBC Radio 2
Sara Cox to replace Scott Mills at Eurovision
15:28 , Holly EvansFellow Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox is set to replace Scott Mills as a commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals, it has been reported.
The BBC has confirmed it has terminated its contract with the 53-year-old, meaning he will no longer be involved in any future coverage.
Since 2011, Mills has commentated on the Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the lead-up to the grand finale on Saturday. In recent years, he has been joined by BBC presenter Rylan Clark.
This year’s Eurovision is set to take place in Vienna in May.
Rylan Clark tipped as potential star to take Scott Mills slot
15:05 , Holly EvansRylan, 37, is more than capable of hosting the breakfast show. He is a favourite among current Radio 2 listeners thanks to his upbeat Saturday afternoon show, and could no doubt nab some listeners from Radio 1 with his cheeky wit, which would make him an ideal candidate in producers’ eyes.
However, he is good friends with Scott Mills, with the pair’s camaraderie particularly becoming a welcome presence on Radio 2’s Eurovision coverage in recent years.
This could throw an awkward spanner in the works should he be offered the role. If he does take over, though, it’ll be the biggest appointment yet for someone whose career began as a joke contestant on The X Factor.
Dermot O'Leary says Mills sacking was a 'complete shock'
14:42 , Holly EvansFellow BBC Radio 2 presenter Dermot O’Leary has said that the firing of Scott Mills has been a “complete shock”.
This Morning anchor O’Leary, who hosts an early-morning weekend slot on Radio 2, said: “This came as a complete shock to everybody, it came from nowhere”.
He said on the ITV daytime show: “As part of the Radio 2 family – and it is a family, everyone gets together, it’s a lovely place to work, it’s very collegiate.”
Former radio presenter says 'feeding frenzy' is ongoing at BBC
14:20 , Holly EvansFormer BBC radio presenter Nihal Arthanayake, who was at Radio 1 for more than 10 years at the same time as Mills, told ITV's Good Morning Britain on Tuesday: "My first thoughts were obviously with the alleged victim here, without question.
"But also, Scott Mills is a human, he's a person who got his dream job that has now been taken away from him, and his validation, largely, in life, probably was defined by that job.
"Therefore, we have to be very careful. There's a current feeding frenzy going on.
"A lot of that is driven by people who just hate the BBC, so they'll use that as a stick to beat the BBC with.
"But there is a human being - well, there's two human beings - at the centre of this."
Sara Cox touted as another potential replacement for Scott Mills
13:30 , Holly EvansBBC listeners are likely to be familiar with Sara Cox, who has worked with the corporation since the Nineties.
Cox hosted a succession of programmes on BBC Radio 1 between 1999 and 2014, the most high-profile of which was the breakfast show (from 2000 to 2003).
Taking over the role from Zoe Ball, Cox, 51, initially prompted a growth in listenership, earning Radio 1 its largest breakfast audience ever.
After leaving the station, she went on to enjoy a fruitful career on Radio 2, hosting a variety of programmes that led to her taking over the drivetime slot from Simon Mayo in 2019.
On television, she is known for presenting The Great Pottery Throwdown, Back in Time For…, and her own ITV series The Sara Cox Show.
Listen: Scott Mills' final sign off on his last show before BBC sacking
13:10 , Holly EvansThe British radio staple whose shock sacking has left listeners reeling
12:50 , Holly EvansI know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock,” Lorna Clark, the director of music at the BBC, wrote in an email to staff this morning.
She was announcing the departure of Scott Mills, a long-term BBC DJ who, in January last year, was given the Radio 2 breakfast slot, often seen as the crown jewel of British radio broadcasting.
The news that he has been sacked, due to allegations about his “personal conduct”, has blindsided his colleagues, the rest of the UK’s media and his fans, as for years Mills has been seen as a steady voice through a tumultuous period for BBC radio.
Read the full article here:
Scott Mills: The radio staple whose shock sacking has left listeners reeling
Kemi Badenoch says Mills sacking is 'yet another scandal' for the BBC
12:30 , Holly EvansTory leader Kemi Badenoch has commented on the sacking of Scott Mills during on a visit to Hertfordshire
She told reporters: “This is yet another scandal that the BBC has to contend with.
“It is a large and complex organisation, and I think that this is one of the things that the new director-general is going to need to get to grips with.”
Scott Mills will no longer commentate at Eurovision Song Contest, BBC says
12:10 , Holly EvansScott Mills will no longer commentate during the Eurovision Song Contest, after he was sacked from the BBC over his “personal conduct”.
The former BBC Radio 2 presenter had featured on commentary of the semi-finals of the competition since 2011, which airs on BBC One on Tuesday and Thursday in the lead up to the grand final.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster confirmed Mills is no longer contracted to work on any projects, and 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 DJ was abruptly taken off air last week and was sacked over the weekend.
It has since emerged that he was questioned by police over allegations of a serious sexual offences against a teenage boy in 2018, but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence.
Read the full article here:
Scott Mills will no longer commentate at Eurovision, BBC says
Teenage boy in sexual offences claim was under 16, police say
11:50 , Holly EvansThe Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the teenage boy at the centre of the allegations against Scott Mills was under the age of 16.
The BBC Radio 2 presenter was investigated in 2016 over claims of “serious sexual offences”
The police said a man, who was in his 40s at the time of the investigation, was interviewed under caution over incidents alleged to have taken place between 1997 and 2000, but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Watch: Former DJ says BBC ‘driven by fear’ and calls for more transparency
11:18 , Holly EvansWho will replace Scott Mills as BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host?
10:57 , Holly EvansThere’s a big vacancy going at Radio 2 after the BBC abruptly sacked Scott Mills as host of the weekday breakfast show.
Mills, who stepped in to host the programme after Zoe Ball left in 2024, was fired by the corporation after allegations about his personal conduct.
There’s now a big question mark surrounding who will be recruited as Mills’ full-time replacement. Since the 53-year-old DJ was taken off the air last week, resident Radio 2 stand-in Gary Davies has been hosting the show – but it’s a sure bet the BBC are lining up a household name to take on the role.
Our culture team have broken down the most likely names to take his place:
Who will replace Scott Mills as BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host?
Scott Mills ‘has stopped returning calls’ after BBC sacking as colleague warns against ‘feeding frenzy’
10:12 , Holly EvansWhat have the Metropolitan Police said?
09:48 , Holly EvansThe Metropolitan Police does not identify people who are subject to an investigation before any charges are brought.
A spokesperson said: “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. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.
“As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.
“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.”
Scott Mills investigated by police in 2016 for 'serious sexual offences'
09:30 , Holly EvansScott Mills was investigated in 2016 over “serious sexual offences” against a teenage boy.
The Metropolitan Police said a man, who was in his 40s at the time of the investigation, was interviewed under caution over incidents alleged to have taken place between 1997 and 2000, but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.
The DJ was abruptly taken off air last week and sacked over the weekend from BBC Radio 2. He last hosted his show on Tuesday March 24 and signed off with: “See you tomorrow.”
On Monday, a BBC spokesperson 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 allegation relates to a relationship with a male from more than 10 years ago, according to The Mirror.
It is unclear if Mills’s sacking is directly related to the 2016 police investigation.
Mills had an average weekly audience of 6.47m
09:17 , Holly EvansScott Mills, 53-year-old from Southampton took over the breakfast show from Zoe Ball last year.
The latest Rajar figures in February showed Mills had an average weekly audience of 6.47 million between October and December 2025, up from 6.16 million the previous quarter and his highest figure since taking over the Radio 2 breakfast show.
The BBC annual report in July 2025 revealed he earned between £355,000 and £359,999 a year.
Vernon Kay tipped as favourite to replace Scott Mills
08:38 , Holly EvansVernon Kay has emerged as the favourite to replace Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2 after the breakfast show host was sacked over allegations relating to his personal conduct, according to a bookmaker.
The BBC confirmed on Monday that the 53-year-old is no longer contracted to work with the company.
The sacking has left a vacancy at BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show just over a year after Mills took over from Zoe Ball as host.
Kay, who hosts a mid-morning show on Radio 2, is currently the favourite with bookmaker William Hill to replace Mills.
Last month, the station’s head Helen Thomas said Vernon Kay continues to be “the most listened to show on UK radio”, attracting 6.7 million listeners each week.
Jeremy Vine reacts to Scott Mills sacking from BBC Radio 2
08:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarScott Mills sacking reportedly linked to 'historic' conduct
07:32 , Jacob StolworthyScott Mills’s sacking from BBC Radio 2 reportedly relates to ‘historic’ conduct.
Reps for Mills have been contacted for comment.
What does this mean for Eurovision 2026?
07:00 , Rebecca WhittakerMills’ sacking comes just over a month before Eurovision 2026 – which he typically covers for BBC Radio 2.
The presenter usually hosts alongside Rylan Clark each year, while last year they were joined by Richie Anderson and Sara Cox.
It’s currently unknown whether he’ll be replaced for this year’s coverage.
First Radio 2 breakfast show since Scott Mills sacking begins
06:39 , Jacob StolworthyLike he’s done since Mills was taken off air last Tuesday, broadcaster Gary Davies stepped in to host proceedings the morning after the big news of his colleague’s firing.
“Good morning! How are ya – it's Gary with you for the next three hours,” he said before playing Edwyn Collins’ “A Girl Like You” and asking his listeners “what they’ve already accomplished this morning”.
Davies cut his teeth on Radio 1 – from 1982 to 1993 – and presented at Virgin and Century until 2008. He returned to the BBC in 2017, stepping in for Sara Cox on Radio 2, and is known for hosting Sound of the 80s.
He regularly stands in for other hosts when they’re on holiday – and was Ken Bruce’s temporary replacement in 2023 before Vernon Kay was hired.
Listen to Scott Mills' final sign off on his last show before BBC sacking
06:00 , Rebecca WhittakerRadio 2 host tipped as favourite to replace Scott Mills on breakfast show
05:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Radio 2 host tipped as favourite to replace Scott Mills on breakfast show
Scott Mills' TV career before sacking – from Celeb RATW to Strictly
04:00 , Rebecca WhittakerScott Mills was a staple on the BBC – both TV and radio – before being sacked by the broadcaster today.
Aside from his decades-long radio career, Mills presented the National Lottery, competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and more recently, he won Celebrity Race Across the World with his husband Sam Vaughan in 2024.
The presenter has even popped up on soaps Casualty and River City in small acting roles.
Who was Scott Mills' last guest on his breakfast show?
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerWhile Mills didn’t know it at the time, Tuesday 24 March was his final show on Radio 2 – with the presenter welcoming Ready or Not 2 stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kathryn Newton into the studio.
Over the last few months, Mills interviewed the likes of Taylor Swift, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, Wuthering Heights’ Margot Robbie and Mariah Carey.
How did Jeremy Vine react to the news of Scott Mills' sacking?
02:00 , Rebecca WhittakerNews of Scott Mills’ sacking led the 12pm bulletin on his former station BBC Radio 2.
At the start of his show on BBC Radio 2, Jeremy Vine said he was “taken aback” by the news about Scott Mills.
He said: “Obviously, I was taken aback by that opening story to the news.
“I had not heard anything about it until 17 minutes ago, when it was on the BBC website, and I only had the information that was given to you in the bulletin, I have nothing more, that it was allegations about Scott Mills’s personal conduct, which have led to him being sacked.
“I have no more than that. Alright, on to today’s show.”
Jeremy Vine reacts to Scott Mills sacking from BBC Radio 2
01:00 , Rebecca WhittakerWho is Scott Mills' temporary replacement OJ Borg?
Tuesday 31 March 2026 00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerOJ Borg will also be stepping in to host Scott Mills’ show after his firing.
The 46-year-old has been the host of BBC Radio 2’s overnight programme since 2018, broadcasting on air from midnight until 3am.
He has also appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live, Xfm South Wales and Absolute Radio. The presenter competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2024 and has previous appeared on Celebrity Mastermind and the National Lottery programme.
Vernon Kay has emerged as the favourite to replace Scott Mills
Monday 30 March 2026 23:00 , Rebecca WhittakerVernon Kay has emerged as the favourite to replace Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2 after the breakfast show host was sacked over allegations relating to his personal conduct, according to a bookmaker.
Kay hosts a mid-morning show on Radio 2, is “the most listened to show on UK radio”, attracting 6.7 million listeners each week, according to the station’s head Helen Thomas.
William Hill also named broadcasters Rylan Clark and Clara Amfo as potential replacements.
Scott Mills has long history with BBC
Monday 30 March 2026 22:00 , Rebecca WhittakerScott Mills first joined the corporation in 1998, where he presented the early breakfast show on Radio 1 until 2004. He then moved to a weekend slot before doing maternity cover for Sara Cox’s weekday early-evening show.
However, he took over the role full-time after Cox decided to quit, and it became The Scott Mills Show. He left Radio 1 after 24 years, in 2022, to replace the late Steve Wright’s weekday afternoon slot. Two years later, he replaced Zoe Ball as host of the station’s flagship breakfast show.
Listen to Scott Mills' final sign off on his last show before BBC sacking
Monday 30 March 2026 21:30 , Rebecca WhittakerScott Mills: The British radio staple whose shock sacking has left listeners reeling
Monday 30 March 2026 20:50 , Rebecca WhittakerScott Mills: The radio staple whose shock sacking has left listeners reeling
Mills is an ambassador for the MS Society
Monday 30 March 2026 20:20 , Rebecca WhittakerScott Mills has been an ambassador for the MS Society for the past 11 years, has hosted events for the charity and given interviews about the condition from which his mother suffers.
The charity told the Press Association: “Scott Mills has been an MS Society Ambassador since 2015.
“We are aware of reports regarding his departure from BBC Radio 2, but do not have any further information at this stage.”
What does this mean for Eurovision 2026?
Monday 30 March 2026 19:50 , Rebecca WhittakerMills’ sacking comes just over a month before Eurovision 2026 – which he typically covers for BBC Radio 2. The presenter usually hosts alongside Rylan Clark each year, while last year they were joined by Richie Anderson and Sara Cox.
It’s currently unknown whether he’ll be replaced for this year’s coverage.
How much did Scott Mills earn?
Monday 30 March 2026 19:20 , Rebecca WhittakerAccording to the 2024–2025 pay report, Mills earned between £355,000 and £359,999 annually for his work at the BBC.
This made him the third highest-paid Radio 2 star behind Zoe Ball and Vernon Kay.
Watch: Jeremy Vine reacts to Scott Mills sacking from BBC Radio 2
Monday 30 March 2026 18:50 , Rebecca WhittakerVernon Kay has emerged as the favourite to replace Scott Mills
Monday 30 March 2026 18:21 , Rebecca WhittakerVernon Kay has emerged as the favourite to replace Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2 after the breakfast show host was sacked over allegations relating to his personal conduct, according to a bookmaker.
Kay hosts a mid-morning show on Radio 2, is “the most listened to show on UK radio”, attracting 6.7 million listeners each week, according to the station’s head Helen Thomas.
William Hill also named broadcasters Rylan Clark and Clara Amfo as potential replacements.
Spokesman Lee Phelps said: “With Scott Mills’ departure from BBC Radio 2 confirmed, attention has quickly turned to who takes on one of the biggest roles in UK radio.
“Our early betting has Vernon Kay out in front at 6/4, but right behind him is Gary Davies at 5/2 and OJ Borg at 11/4, having previously hosted the show.
“Other potential candidates include Rylan Clark (7/2), Clara Amfo (4/1) and Tony Blackburn (6/1), followed by Strictly Come Dancing and Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman (8/1).
“Joe Wilkinson and Alex Horne are 10/1 and 20/1 respectively to replace Mills on one of the flagship BBC Radio shows.”
Recap: BBC staff told of Mills' exit by internal note
Monday 30 March 2026 18:10 , Rebecca WhittakerThe sacking of BBC Radio 2 breakfast host Scott Mill was described as “sudden and unexpected” for staff.
In an email sent to staff, Lorna Clarke, director of music, wrote: “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.
“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.”
The DJ was sacked over allegations relating to his personal conduct and was abruptly taken off air last week.
He last hosted his show on Tuesday March 24 and signed off with: “See you tomorrow.”
Scott Mills: The British radio staple whose shock sacking has left listeners reeling
Monday 30 March 2026 17:40 , Rebecca WhittakerScott Mills: The radio staple whose shock sacking has left listeners reeling
Who is Scott Mills' temporary replacement OJ Borg?
Monday 30 March 2026 17:10 , Lauren MorrisOJ Borg will also be stepping in to host Scott Mills’ show after his firing.
The 46-year-old has been the host of BBC Radio 2’s overnight programme since 2018, broadcasting on air from midnight until 3am.
He has also appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live, Xfm South Wales and Absolute Radio. The presenter competed on Celebrity MasterChef in 2024 and has previous appeared on Celebrity Mastermind and the National Lottery programme.
Who is Scott Mills' temporary replacement Gary Davies?
Monday 30 March 2026 16:40 , Lauren MorrisBBC Radio 2 presenter Gary Davies will be one of the broadcasters temporarily taking over Scott Mills’ breakfast show after his sudden firing.
The 68-year-old began his radio career on Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio in 1979 before joining Radio 1 to host the Saturday late night show.
He went on to host Top of the Pops, his own shows on Virgin Radio and Century Radio, and later began broadcasting on BBC Radio 2. He currently hosts Sounds of the 80s on the channel.
Scott Mills' sacking jeopardises EastEnders episode
Monday 30 March 2026 16:10 , Lauren MorrisScott Mills’ firing hasn’t just complicated his upcoming presenting gigs – it’s also impacted the soap world.
The presenter made a brief cameo in the 2026 New Year’s Day episode of EastEnders, which was a flash-forward episode set in 2027. In the scene, he wishes Max Branning good lucky on his wedding day after the Albert Square resident’s son Oscar writes into the station.
However, many fans have pointed out that the scene is now out-of-date as Mills won’t be presenting on Radio 2 in January 2027.
“Of all that could go wrong in 12 months, the radio voiceover of Scott Mills was not what I thought would be the thing to eff up the flash forward!!” one fan tweeted. “It’s the easiest thing to fix I suppose, so there’s that.”
Scott Mills' final BBC TV role: 'It was like a dream'
Monday 30 March 2026 15:40 , Lauren MorrisMills appeared on BBC One for the final time earlier this month, taking part in a Comic Relief sketch parodying The Traitors.
The presenter was played the role of series four contestant James in the skit, titled The Traitors: The Movie – The Sequel, and said that it felt “like a dream” in a recent Instagram post.
“I have since the very start been 100% faithful!” he wrote. “I’ve loved Traitors since day one... I even campaigned to have the first series final shown in pubs across the UK!
“So it was like a dream to sit around the round table and play @james.a.j.baker in The Traitors: The Movie - The Sequel!I can now add acting* with @officialalisonsteadman on my CV! *acting might be a stretch*”
Scott Mills' TV career before sacking – from Celeb RATW to Strictly
Monday 30 March 2026 15:18 , Lauren MorrisScott Mills was a staple on the BBC – both TV and radio – before being sacked by the broadcaster today.
Aside from his decades-long radio career, Mills presented the National Lottery, competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and more recently, he won Celebrity Race Across the World with his husband Sam Vaughan in 2024.
The presenter has even popped up on soaps Casualty and River City in small acting roles.
Scott Mills' last guests on his breakfast show
Monday 30 March 2026 14:52 , Lauren MorrisWhile Mills didn’t know it at the time, Tuesday 24 March was his final show on Radio 2 – with the presenter welcoming Ready or Not 2 stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kathryn Newton into the studio.
Over the last few months, Mills interviewed the likes of Taylor Swift, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, Wuthering Heights’ Margot Robbie and Mariah Carey.
Scott Mills' final words on BBC Radio 2
Monday 30 March 2026 14:30 , Jacob StolworthyScott Mills had no idea he would not be returning to his radio show when he signed off last Tuesday (24 March), telling his listeners: “See you tomorrow.”
However, he did not return the next day – and now, one week on, it’s been revealed he has been sacked by the corporation
How much did Scott Mills earn?
Monday 30 March 2026 14:12 , Jacob StolworthyAccording to the 2024–2025 pay report, Mills earnt between £355,000 and £359,999 annually for his work at the BBC.
This made him the third highest-paid Radio 2 star behind Zoe Ball and Vernon Kay.
Scott Mills has long history with BBC
Monday 30 March 2026 14:00 , Jacob StolworthyThe sacked DJ first joined the corporation in 1998, where he presented the early breakfast show on Radio 1 until 2004. He then moved to a weekend slot before doing maternity cover for Sara Cox’s weekday early-evening show.
However, he took over the role full-time after Cox decided to quit, and it became The Scott Mills Show. He left Radio 1 after 24 years, in 2022, to replace the late Steve Wright’s weekday afternoon slot. Two years later, he replaced Zoe Ball as host of the station’s flagship breakfast show.
What does this mean for Eurovision 2026?
Monday 30 March 2026 13:50 , Lauren MorrisMills’ sacking comes just over a month before Eurovision 2026 – which he typically covers for BBC Radio 2. The presenter usually hosts alongside Rylan Clark each year, while last year they were joined by Richie Anderson and Sara Cox.
It’s currently unknown whether he’ll be replaced for this year’s coverage.
Scott Mills told of his firing 'at the weekend'
Monday 30 March 2026 13:30 , Lauren MorrisMills was reportedly told this weekend that his contract with the BBC had been terminated.
“Scott Mills was taken off air last Tuesday and was told of the decision that he’d been sacked at the weekend,” BBC News‘ Culture Reporter, Noor Nanji, said on Radio 2.
Radio 2 stars take over Breakfast Show after Mills' sacking
Monday 30 March 2026 13:14 , Lauren MorrisThe BBC has confirmed Scott Mills’ temporary replacements for the next week, with Gary Davies and OJ Borg filling in until the 7 April.
Davies has been with the BBC since 1982, having presented shows on both Radio 1 and Radio 2. Borg usually hosts Radio 2 from midnight until 3am.
