Scott Mills releases statement after BBC sacking as he addresses police investigation

Scott Mills has released a statement after his sacking by the BBC as he addressed the police investigation into him.

The 53-year-old DJ, who hosted the Radio 2 breakfast show, had his contract terminated last Friday following an allegation relating to his "personal conduct".

It emerged the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into Mills in December 2016 over "allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy" who was under 16, said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service ultimately decided "the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges" and the case was closed in May 2019.

The BBC confirmed on Wednesday it knew about the police probe in 2017 but sacked him after receiving "new information" in the weeks before he was dismissed.

In his first public statement since his sacking, Mills said: "The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation."

He went on to confirm that he was the person at the centre of the Metropolitan Police investigation.

The statement continued: "An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018.

"As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.

"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."

Mills' final show before he was taken off-air by the BBC was Tuesday 24 March.

He signed off by saying "back tomorrow", but the following day's show was presented by Gary Davies who did not give a reason for Mills' absence.

Mills took over from Zoe Ball on Radio 2's breakfast show in 2025 after a long career at the BBC and regional radio. He was paid between £355,000 and £359,999.

Earlier on Wednesday, a BBC spokesperson said the corporation "spoke directly" with Mills before terminating his contract.

The statement went on: "The BBC has made a significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards.

"Last year, following an independent culture review, we set out the behavioural expectations for everyone who works with or for the BBC and we were clear action would be taken if these were not met."

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