BBC Knew of Scott Mills Police Probe Since 2017, Revealed After Sacking
In a shocking development, Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills was dismissed from the BBC earlier this week over personal conduct issues, with new revelations showing the broadcaster was aware of a police investigation into him as far back as 2017. Mills, 53, a long-time BBC personality, had been questioned by police in 2018 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16, dating back to the period between 1997 and 2000.
Career Highlights and Salary Details
Scott Mills had risen to become one of the highest-paid presenters at the BBC, with a salary ranging from £315,000 to £319,999 in 2025 after taking over Zoe Ball's Breakfast Show on Radio 2. His career began in local radio, including stations like Hampshire's Power FM, before joining BBC Radio 1 in October 1998. Over the years, he climbed the ranks, eventually moving to Radio 2 in October 2022 to host the afternoon slot, and later the Breakfast Show in January 2025, where his earnings increased to £355,000 to £359,999 annually.
Timeline of the Investigation and BBC's Knowledge
The Metropolitan Police launched a probe into the allegations against Mills in December 2016, following a referral from another police force. Mills was questioned under caution in July 2018, but the case was dropped in May 2019 due to insufficient evidence, as confirmed by the Crown Prosecution Service. Despite this, the BBC has now admitted it was made aware of the ongoing police investigation in 2017, though it failed to follow up adequately at the time.
In a statement released on April 1, 2026, the BBC apologized for not asking further questions when it received a press query in 2025 with limited information. The broadcaster stated, "We received a press query in 2025, which included limited information. This should have been followed up on, and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen."
Recent Events Leading to Dismissal
The scandal escalated in late March 2026 when the BBC launched an internal investigation after a complaint regarding Mills' historic police case. On March 30, 2026, it was announced that Mills had been sacked, with the BBC citing personal conduct. An internal letter from BBC Director of Music Lorna Clarke to staff explained the sudden decision, noting that "Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show and the BBC" and acknowledging the shock it would cause to colleagues and listeners.
Further details emerged on March 31, 2026, when The Mirror revealed the allegations related to a historic relationship over a decade old, and the Metropolitan Police confirmed the alleged victim was under 16. A source told The Sun that Mills had "completely shut down" and was not responding to communication attempts after being informed of the allegations in a tense meeting with senior staff.
BBC's Response and Future Actions
In its lengthy statement on April 1, 2026, the BBC confirmed it had obtained new information in recent weeks, leading to the termination of Mills' contracts on March 27, 2026. The broadcaster emphasized its commitment to improving culture and processes, stating, "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."
The BBC also pledged to investigate what was known internally during the 2017-2019 period, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of its handling of the case. This scandal has sparked widespread media speculation and raised questions about transparency and accountability within the organization.
