Scott Mills was spotted looking solemn as he broke cover in his first public outing since being fired from the BBC.
The former BBC Radio 2 DJ was sacked last month after it emerged he was investigated over alleged serious sexual offences against a boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000.
The 53-year-old allegedly stayed in contact with the boy for years until around 2006. The investigation was dropped due to lack of evidence.
He has since spoken out about his firing, reiterating that the police probe was closed seven years ago and asking the public to “respect my wish not to make any further comment”.
On Wednesday, Mills was seen for the first time since his exit from the BBC, going for a dog walk with his husband Sam Vaughan near their Hertfordshire home.
The pair went incognito in caps and sunglasses and wore casual outfits as they headed out with their dog Teddy, in photos obtained by The Sun.
Mills was taken off the radio by the BBC last month before his firing over allegations related to his "personal conduct".
The BBC confirmed it knew in 2017 about the police investigation into Mills but “acted decisively” to sack him after receiving “new information” in recent weeks.
It is not clear whether bosses knew of the alleged victim’s age in 2017, but current managers took the decision to sack Mills after learning they had been under 16, BBC News reported.
The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into Mills in 2016.
He was questioned in 2018 and the case was closed in 2019 after prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.
Since his firing, he has lost a series of job opportunities including being replaced as the host of the Race Across The World podcast and has been removed from episodes of Top Of The Pops.
He was also pulled from supporting Boyzone’s concerts this summer and a Great British Bake Off celebrity episode featuring him has been removed.
Additionally, he no longer has his regular £190,000 gig in pantomime, having previously appeared in Jack and the Beanstalk shows across the UK.
Mills has said of his firing: “Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed 7 years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.
“I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss.”
