BBC apologises over handling of Scott Mills allegations raised last year
In a statement, the BBC acknowledged it had failed to follow up properly to allegations raised by a freelance journalist
By Eve Ellis
The BBC has apologised for its failure to act on allegations raised last year about Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills, as scrutiny grows over how the broadcaster handled the claims.
Mills had his contract terminated over the weekend following allegations relating to his “personal conduct”. It later emerged he had previously been investigated by police over claims of “serious sexual offences” involving a teenage boy under 16.
These allegations were first brought to the BBC last May by a freelance journalist who said she had information about alleged “inappropriate communications” involving Mills, according to The Telegraph. The journalist, Anna Brees, asked whether the BBC has ever conducted an internal investigation into him – but received no response.
“This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions” – the BBC on a 2025 allegation raised by a journalist
In a statement, the BBC acknowledged it had failed to follow up properly.
“We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information. 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,” a spokesperson said.
They added: “More broadly, we would always urge anyone who has concerns or information to raise it with us.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed today (1 April) it had previously launched an investigation in 2016 into allegations said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000. A man in his 40s was interviewed under caution in July 2018.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service later decided “the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges” and the case was closed in May 2019.
Scott Mills hosted his final Radio 2 breakfast show on Tuesday 24 March
No charges were brought following the investigation, and Mills continued to work at the BBC after its conclusion. In January 2025, he took over the Radio 2 breakfast show from Zoe Ball reaching 6.5 million listeners – making it the most listened-to breakfast show in the UK.
Mills hosted his final Radio 2 breakfast show on Tuesday 24 March, signing off that morning as usual, telling listeners he would return the following day, but did not appear on air again.
Following the latest developments, charity Neuroblastoma UK confirmed it had cut ties with Mills, stating he is no longer a patron.
Sara Cox has since been announced as Mills’s replacement for the BBC’s Eurovision Song Contest 2026 coverage, and programmes he hosted have since been removed from both BBC iPlayer and Spotify.