Scott Mills’ abrupt dismissal from BBC Radio 2 has left listeners stunned as the broadcaster attempted to move past the fallout on Tuesday morning.
Gary Davies, who stepped in to host the Breakfast Show last week, opened Tuesday’s programme without reference to Mills’ permanent departure.
“Good morning. How are you?,” Davies began. “Tuesday 31st March. It’s Gary here for the next three hours,” he said, before playing the first track.
Returning after the song, he added: “How’s your Tuesday morning? What have you already accomplished this morning?” before introducing the next record while no mention of Mills came.
Even a segment on Eurovision, a notable moment given Mills’ long-standing role as one of the BBC’s commentators for the contest, passed without reference to the former host.
There was also no reference to Mills in the 7am news bulletin, although the 7:30am update led with reports that he had previously been investigated in a police probe into alleged “serious sexual offences” involving a teenage boy. The investigation was dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Some listeners questioned the broadcaster’s silence.
One wrote on X: “Radio 2 going for the Basil Fawlty approach this morning. Don't mention the war! Curious item missing from the news bulletins.”
“Gary Davies desperately playing records non-stop. No discussion between any presenters,” another penned.
Davies, who hosts Sounds of the 80s, has regularly covered for fellow Radio 2 presenters and previously stepped in to host Pick Of The Pops following the death of Steve Wright in 2024.
On Monday, the news broke that Mills was taken off his Radio 2 show last Tuesday (March 24) following allegations about his “personal conduct”.
Mills is said to have been completely “blindsided” by claims, signing off from his last show with: “See you tomorrow”.
The broadcaster, who took over Radio 2’s Breakfast Show from Zoe Ball last year, was told his contract was terminated at the weekend, sources claimed.
News of his departure was first reported by the Mirror, which said the allegation related to a “historic male relationship” more than 10 years ago.
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.”
In a message circulated to staff, seen by the Mirror, it was noted that “this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock”.
The news came as a huge upset to colleagues, with a BBC reporter saying there were “gasps filled the newsroom” when staff found out he had lost his job.
It has since emerged that Mills was investigated by police several years ago into alleged “serious sexual offences” against a teenage boy.
The Radio 2 presenter, 53, was interviewed under caution in 2018, then in his 40s, in connection with claims said to date back to between 1997 and 2000, according to The Mirror.
No further action was taken at the time, with the case dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Initially it was reported that he had been sacked from his BBC Radio 2 show following allegations about his “personal conduct” said to relate to a “historic male relationship”.
The DJ’s abrupt departure comes just weeks after he was announced as a host for Race Across The World spin-off The Detour.
Mills joined Radio 1 in 1998, initially presenting the early breakfast show between 4am and 7am. In July 2005, he moved to an early evening weekday slot while covering for Sara Cox during her maternity leave.
When she chose not to return, the programme became The Scott Mills Show, airing from 1pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
It was confirmed in July 2022 that he would move to Radio 2, where his new afternoon show launched on 31 October, running from 2pm to 4pm.
The programme replaced Steve Wright in the Afternoon. The presenter took over the Breakfast Show from Zoe Ball last year after she announced that she was stepping down to “focus on family”.
