Former BBC presenter Scott Mills speaks out after being sacked ‘over personal conduct’
Scott Mills has spoken out for the first time since he was sacked by the BBC following allegations about his 'personal conduct'.
After the news broke on Monday (30 March), it came to light that the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into the former Radio 2 DJ in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000.
The 53-year-old was questioned under caution by officers in July 2018 and he says he 'fully cooperated' with the investigation. The BBC said it knew about a police investigation in 2017, which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge made.
The corporation revealed it had terminated Mills' contract on Friday (having taken him off air earlier in the week) and added that this came as it received new information in recent weeks.
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Having worked on BBC radio stations since 1998, Mills said he 'greatly misses' his 'beloved listeners' and 'former colleagues' as he added that he will not be making any 'further public comment'.
Released through his lawyers, Mills said in a statement: "The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation. In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me.
"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.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “Scott Mills had a long career across the BBC, he was hugely popular and we know the news this week has come as a shock and surprise to many.
“We also recognise there’s been much speculation in the media and online since Monday. We hope people understand that there is a limit to what we can say because we have to be mindful of the rights of those involved.
“What we can confirm is that in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him. As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values, and terminated his contracts on Friday March 27.”
The BBC added: “Separately, we can confirm the BBC was made aware in 2017 of the existence of an ongoing police investigation, which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge being made. We are doing more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time.”
The corporation said it 'made a significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards', and added that it set out 'behavioural expectations for everyone who works with or for the BBC' and was 'clear action would be taken' if they were not met last year, following an independent culture review.
Scott Mills: A timeline of his career and the allegations against him
Early 1990s
Aged 16, Mills barrages his local radio station Power FM with demos, who eventually offer him a presenting slot in the 1am to 6am graveyard shift.
He becomes the youngest mainstream radio presenter in the UK. Jobs at Bristol’s GWR FM, Manchester’s Piccadilly Key 103 and London’s Heart 106.2 soon follow.
1997-2000
These are the dates the Met Police say the allegations of serious sexual offences made by a teenage boy under the age of 16 against Scott Mills refer to.
1998
Mills joins the BBC, originally broadcasting from 4am to 7am on Radio 1.
2004
After filling in for Sara Cox on maternity leave, he eventually lands his own primetime early evening slot, headlining The Scott Mills Show for the next 18 years.
2011
Mills fronts BBC Three documentary The World's Worst Place To Be Gay?, confronting homophobic preachers and local healers in Uganda.
2014
Mills competes in season 12 of Strictly Come Dancing, and was the fifth to be eliminated.
2016
The Met Police opens an investigation into Scott Mills following a referral by another police force.
2017
The BBC is made aware of an ongoing Met Police inquiry into Mills.
2018
Mills is questioned under caution by the Met Police.
2019
The case against Mills is dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service determines there is not enough evidence to bring charges.
2022
Mills moves to BBC Radio 2 to replace Steve Wright on Steve Wright in the Afternoon. He later replaces Zoe Ball on the breakfast show.
2024
Mills marries radio exec Sam Vaughan, and later that year they win the second series of Celebrity Race Across the World.
2025
A journalist and former BBC presenter contacts the BBC press office after a source tips her off to allegations about inappropriate messages involving Mills. She never receives a response.
The BBC has since apologised, saying in part: "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."
2026
Mills is sacked by the BBC.
Jess Battison