Scott Mills signed off his Radio 2 Breakfast Show telling listeners “see you tomorrow” before he was abruptly sacked by the BBC.
The veteran broadcaster, 53, has been removed from his role following allegations relating to his “personal conduct”, with reports suggesting the claims concern a “historic” relationship dating back more than a decade.
Mills was last on air on Tuesday, when he ended the programme as usual and handed over to fellow presenter Vernon Kay.
After a brief exchange, he told listeners: “I’m back tomorrow, with Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Thank you!” A sign he had no indication his tenure was about to end.
However, the following morning Gary Davies stepped in to host the flagship breakfast slot, telling listeners he was “in for Scott Mills” as the BBC filled the schedule at short notice. Davies has since continued as stand in host.
Both Kay and Davies are being backed by bookmakers as leading contenders to replace him permanently.
Confirming the departure, 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.”
According to reports, BBC Director of Music Lorna Clarke informed staff of the decision in an internal message, describing the news as “sudden and unexpected”.
She said: “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.”
The abrupt nature of the announcement appeared to ripple across the organisation, with BBC News correspondent Sima Kotecha describing the reaction inside the newsroom.
“This is mega news,” she said. “We heard gasps in the newsroom when people realised that he had been sacked.”
Kotecha added that while details remain limited, the decision to part ways with one of the broadcaster’s most recognisable voices suggested the situation was serious.
Meanwhile, Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine told listeners he had been “taken aback” by the development, saying he had only learned of the news moments before going on air.
“I had not heard anything about it until it was on the BBC website,” he said. “I have nothing more than that it was allegations about Scott Mills’s personal conduct.”
The reported allegations relate to a relationship from more than 10 years ago, according to the Mirror. Mills married his long term partner Sam Vaughan in 2024, having announced their engagement in 2021 after four years together.
The shock exit comes during a busy period for the presenter, who had recently been announced as co host of Race Across the World spin off podcast The Detour alongside former contestant Alfie Watts. He was also due to be involved in the BBC’s Eurovision coverage this year.
Mills, a longstanding figure at the corporation, joined Radio 1 in 1998 and became one of its most recognisable voices before moving to Radio 2. He took over the station’s flagship breakfast show in 2025, succeeding Zoe Ball.
