Scott Mills probed by police in 2016 over sexual offences against ‘teenage boy’

BBC star Scott Mills was sacked by the BBC last week and the Mirror understands that it is linked to a previously unknown police investigation in 2016 regarding a teenage boy which was dropped because of a lack of evidence

The BBC’s decision to sack Scott Mills relates to a 2016 police investigation into “serious sexual offences” against a teenage boy. Mills was questioned by police under caution but the case was dropped because of a lack of evidence. However the Mirror understands the sacking relates to this individual.

Tonight a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force. The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to taken place between 1997 and 2000. 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. A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.”

The claims related to when Mills joined BBC Radio 1 and it’s not known if the BBC were told of the investigation at the time. A source close to the BBC say they acted “quickly and decisively” last week following a complaint. The BBC is understood to have updated the complainant following Mills’ sacking, and are in contact with them.

The Mirror broke news of the star presenter’s sacking this morning shortly before BBC staff were informed by email. They were left “shell-shocked” by Mills’ departure, and there were “audible” gasps in the newsroom. It comes as the 53-year-old was taken off air last Wednesday following the unnamed person’s complaint while the BBC urgently assessed the information.

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

Mills, who only took over the flagship breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025, was then told his contract was terminated at the weekend. Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s Director of Music told staff in an email: “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. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.”

She 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.”

The BBC 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.” News of Scott Mills’ axing led the 12pm bulletin on his former station. At the start of his show on BBC Radio 2, Jeremy Vine said he was “taken aback” by the news about Mills.

He said: “Obviously, I was taken aback by that opening story to the news. I had not heard anything about it until 17 minutes ago, when it was on the BBC website, and I only had the information that was given to you in the bulletin, I have nothing more, that it was allegations about Scott Mills’s personal conduct, which have led to him being sacked. I have no more than that.”

Mills had signed off Tuesday’s show by telling listeners: “I’m back tomorrow, with Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Thank you!” However, the following day he was replaced without warning by colleague Gary Davies. There was no mention of why he was absent.

Mills earns between £355,000 and £359,999 annually for his work at the BBC, according to the 2024–2025 pay report. He has been on BBC radio and TV for more than 25 years and is its 11th highest-paid star. He joined Radio 2’s weekday schedule in 2022 when he replaced Steve Wright as the host of the afternoon slot. In 2025 he provided TV commentary on BBC One for the semi-finals of Eurovision with Rylan, and was set to be heavily involved in this year’s competition.

The BBC are now locked in crisis meetings as to who replaces him on both shows. A source said: “It’s like a bomb has been dropped in the middle of the Corporation…..everything has been thrown up into the air.” Following the announcement he was to take over the top job from Zoe Ball, Mills said it was a ‘lifelong dream come true.”

He said: “It feels ever since recording my first shows as a kid for an audience of one, my mum, all roads since have led to this amazing opportunity. It really is a lifelong dream come true to follow in the footsteps of Sir Terry, Chris and Zoe to be the new presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.”

Mills began his BBC career on Radio 1 in the late 1990s as the early breakfast host, before going on to present weekend slots and then an early evening show while providing maternity cover for Sara Cox. When Cox did not return, the programme was renamed The Scott Mills Show. He has also presented a weekend show on Radio 5 Live and appeared on series 12 of Strictly where he was paired with professional dancer Joanne Clifton, becoming the fifth couple to be eliminated.

In 2024 he and husband Sam Vaughan won the celebrity edition of Race Around the World. Reflecting on the experience that came just after landing the Radio 2 Breakfast slot, Mills said: “I had such a mad year last year, it was the best year of my life,” and added: “I’m honestly the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.