Former BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills has been dismissed by the broadcaster, with the move followed by revelations that he was questioned by police in 2018 regarding historical allegations of serious sexual offences. The Metropolitan Police confirmed an investigation into allegations involving a teenage boy under the age of 16 took place, but the case was closed due to a lack of evidence, with no charges ever brought.

Mills, 53, was taken off air last week, and his sacking was formally announced on Monday. The BBC cited "personal conduct" as the reason for his departure, but has not commented further on the matter. Internally, the BBC’s director of music, Lorna Clarke, informed staff via email on Monday, acknowledging the news would be "sudden and unexpected" and offering no further details.

The police investigation, which began in December 2016 following a referral from another force, focused on alleged offences occurring between 1997 and 2000, a period when Mills worked at BBC Radio 1. He was questioned under caution in July 2018. A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold for charges had not been met. The investigation was formally closed in May 2019. It remains unclear whether Mills's recent dismissal by the BBC is directly linked to this past police inquiry.

Mills, who had cultivated a public persona as an inoffensive and eager-to-please broadcaster over nearly 30 years with the BBC, took over Radio 2’s breakfast show in 2024 after joining the station in 2022. His unceremonious sacking and the subsequent revelations have been described by some as a "bombshell" for the presenter and the corporation.

The incident comes at a challenging time for the BBC, which is undergoing a change in leadership with outgoing Director-General Tim Davie stepping down this week. Rhodri Talfan Davies will serve as interim Director-General before Matt Brittin takes on the permanent role in May. The broadcaster has faced several controversies in recent years, leading to increased scrutiny of its handling of staff conduct. Some BBC insiders have suggested the quick and decisive action in Mills's case reflects a renewed commitment to consistent standards across all levels of the organisation.

For Radio 2, the departure of its breakfast show host, only 14 months into his tenure, creates a significant vacancy. The station, which is the UK’s most popular, has been navigating audience changes and increased competition from commercial rivals and podcasts, with some commentators suggesting the unexpected slot opening could present an opportunity for the station to refresh its programming.