BBC sacked Scott Mills 'after discovering alleged victim in police investigation was under 16'

Scott Mills was sacked by the BBC after bosses discovered the alleged victim in the police investigation into the DJ was under the age of 16, the broadcaster has reported.

The 53-year-old, who hosted the Radio 2 breakfast show, had his contract terminated last Friday over 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", 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 police force added.

The BBC confirmed on Wednesday that the organisation was aware of the investigation in 2017, but dismissed him after receiving "new information" in recent weeks.

The broadcaster reported on Thursday that the corporation had sacked the presenter "after learning the alleged victim in the police investigation was under 16".

"It is not clear if BBC managers at the time of the investigation in 2017 knew the age - but current management only became aware in recent weeks and took action," it said.

Outgoing BBC director general Tim Davie said in a leaked recording of what seems to be an internal exit interview obtained by Sky News that new information had "quite recently" come to light, which made the decision the broadcaster needed to make "very clear".

"It has been a tough week with Scott Mills and it's been a real shock to the organisation," he said.

Rhodri Talfan Davies, who is taking over the Mr Davie's position, said in the interview there are "lines and when individuals cross across the line, irrespective of the seniority or their profile, there are consequences".

On Wednesday Mills issued his first public statement since news broke of his dismissal.

"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," he said.

"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 seven 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."

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Mills' final show before he was taken off-air by the BBC was on 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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