BBC sacks radio host, historical police probe reported

The BBC has sacked radio presenter Scott Mills following allegations about his personal behaviour; UK media reported that he was questioned by police over historic allegations of sexual offenses involving a teenage boy a decade ago.

The UK Metropolitan Police said the child at the center of the investigation was under 16, first reported by the Mirror newspaper.

The investigation began in 2016, following a referral from another police force, and examined allegations of crimes reportedly committed between 1997 and 2000.

“The investigation concerns allegations of serious sexual offenses against a young child,” police said in a statement, without disclosing the child’s age.

Police said a man in his 40s was questioned under caution in July 2018 and the full case was passed on to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Prosecutors concluded there was insufficient evidence to file charges and the investigation was closed in May 2019.

The BBC said it did not comment on matters involving individuals but confirmed Mills was “no longer contracted” to work for the company.

It was not stated whether the police investigation played any role in the decision.

Mills did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mills, 53, took over Radio 2’s flagship breakfast show in January 2025 from Zoe Ball, who was one of the company’s highest-paid presenters at the time.

His departure is another blow for the BBC, which is still dealing with the fallout from the 2024 conviction of former news presenter Huw Edwards for taking indecent photographs of children.