Scott Mills was questioned over sexual assault allegations against a teenage boy under the age of 16 in 2018.
The Metropolitan Police told the BBC that a man who was in his 40s at the time was investigated in 2016 over allegations ‘reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000’.
“In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force,” a spokesperson said. “The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy.”
“As part of these enquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018,” the force added.
“A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.
The BBC said on Monday that Scott Mills is ‘no longer contracted to work with the BBC’ (Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
“Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.”
The broadcaster has not given any further details surrounding the allegations, and it has not been made clear if the investigation and the accusations were a factor in his sacking.
The BBC confirmed in a statement on Monday (30 March) that Mills, 53, has been sacked from Radio 2.
“While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC,” it said.
The Mirror was first to report that it ‘understands the allegation relates to a historic relationship’.
Director of Music, Lorna Clarke, was said to have informed Mills’ colleagues of the sacking via email.
Scott Mills was questioned over sexual assault allegations against a teenage boy in 2016 (Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
“I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC,” it reportedly read.
“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, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV.
“I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.”
It continued: “Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to.
“While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.”
Mills presented BBC Radio 1 from 2004 to 2022 and then BBC Radio 2 until his recent dismissal.
He earned between £355,000 and £359,999, according to a pay report for 2024 to 2025.
LADbible Group has contacted Scott Mills’ representatives for comment.
Scott Mills has been axed by the BBC following allegations about his ‘personal conduct’.
The broadcaster said in a statement: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”
Mills has been working on their radio stations since the 90s and officially took over Radio 2’s breakfast show from Zoe Ball in January 2025.
According to BBC data, he fronts the UK’s most listened to breakfast show, with an average of 6.5 million listeners.
He was paid handsomely, with a salary between £355,000 and £359,999 in 2024/2025, up £35k-£45k from the previous year. This makes him the 11th highest paid star at the BBC, behind the likes of Gary Lineker, Zoe Ball and Alan Shearer.
Mills – who married radio executive Sam Vaughan in 2024 – was taken off air on the show early last week while information was reportedly assessed and sources claim the 53-year-old was then told at the weekend that his contract had been terminated, the Mirror reports.
The publication adds that the allegation concerns a historic relationship that dates back more than a decade.
He ended his show on Tuesday (24 March) saying ‘back tomorrow’ and the next day, Gary Davies said he was ‘in for Scott Mills’.
Mills has worked on BBC radio stations since the 90s. (BBC)
According to The Mirror, his exit was confirmed to staff by Lorna Clarke, Director of Music at the BBC, this morning (30 March).
A statement reportedly reads: “I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC.
“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, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV.
Scott Mills and his husband Sam Vaughan (Kate Green/Getty Images)
“I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.”
Clarke added: “Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to.
“While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.”
Mills’ sacking comes a week after Channel 5 aired a drama about disgraced BBC newsreader Huw Edwards, while the corporation’s Royal Charter expires next year, leading to renewed questions about its funding and the licence fee.
Mills’ radio work has made him a well-known face and voice. (Katja Ogrin/Getty Images)
Mills has become a popular face and voice for the broadcaster, and a key figure in the UK’s coverage of Eurovision.
The presenter has featured on other TV shows from the BBC, such as Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Race Across the World. He was last seen on TV on 20 March for the Comic Relief Traitors skit.
Mills was set to present a new visualised podcast to accompany the new series of Race Across the World – which airs on Thursday.
Scott Mills career timeline
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.
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.
