pals

THE BBC was today plunged into a fresh crisis after Radio 2 breakfast DJ Scott Mills was sacked over allegations about his personal conduct. 

The 53-year-old — who earned more than £350,000 a year — had his contract terminated after a complaint was made, understood to relate to a historical relationship. 

He was called in for a meeting after his show last Tuesday — the same day a Channel 5 drama about the conduct of axed BBC newsreader Huw Edwards was screened. 

A source said: “Scott was taken off air the following day and his ­contract was terminated at the weekend.” BBC staff were left stunned as the news broke yesterday. 

News of his sudden sacking yesterday left BBC colleagues gasping in shock, one revealed. 

Even star pals were blindsided by the announcement that the host had been given the elbow. 

SCOTT AXED

Why was Scott Mills sacked from Radio 2? What we know so far

‘SUDDEN’ SACKING

BBC Radio 2 star Scott Mills sacked over ‘historic male relationship’

And sources said friends’ immediate attempts to contact Mills all ended in failure. 

The Sun understands an allegation made against the Radio 2 Breakfast Show presenter relates to a relationship dating back more than a decade — and that his contract was terminated within five days of the complaint being made. 

BBC news correspondent Sima Kotecha said: “We heard gasps in the newsroom when people realised that he had been sacked. 

“We don’t know why he’s been sacked but we do know that it will surely be unwelcome news. 

“The fact that the bosses had to do this means there must be something potentially very significant here to let one of their big names go. As I said, this is a huge name in the BBC.”  

A source explained: “An allegation was made against Scott last Tuesday and he was called in for a meeting. 

“He was taken off air from Radio 2 the following day and his contract was terminated at the weekend. 

“It was a very fast process between the complaint being raised and Scott leaving. It happened in less than five days.” 

A source close to Mills — the BBC’s 11th highest-paid star — said: “Scott was told about the allegation in a meeting with senior staff present. He was tense. 

“He has completely shut down now and no one can get hold of him. No calls, no messages — nothing. 

“The people who know him are blindsided by all of this and they can’t get hold of him.”  

An internal message was sent around Radio 2 after Mills’ exit was made public. 

Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s Director of Music, said: “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. 

“Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too.”  

Rhodri-Talfan Davies, the BBC’s Acting Director- General, sent out a company-wide email saying: “I hope you all understand that we are not able to share any more information.”

Referencing the shock of BBC staffers and Scott’s listeners, he praised the team working on Radio 2 and said: “I just want to recognise the pressure this puts on them, many of whom have worked with Scott for many years.”  

In an official statement, the BBC said only: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can ­confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted and has left the BBC.”  

The news of his axing over the “historical relationship” led the BBC’s own bulletins. 

Jeremy Vine, who hosts the afternoon slot on Radio 2, said as he started his show: “Obviously, I was taken aback by that opening story to the news. 

“I hadn’t 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. All right, on to today’s show . . .”  

The “historical” nature of the relationship will lead to questions over what the BBC knew, if anything, at the time. 

Mills — who married boyfriend Sam Vaughan in July 2024 shortly before they won BBC’s Celebrity Race Across The World — was taken off air from Wednesday last week.

Gary Davies stepped in to host the Breakfast show and will remain on air until Thursday, with OJ Borg working on Bank Holiday Friday and Monday. 

Insiders said staff working at BBC Radio 2 were originally told Mills was having time off for “personal reasons”. 

His last social media post was made last Tuesday, where he shared a clip of an interview he did with former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson the week prior. 

A source said: “Scott was taken off air from Radio 2 on Wednesday. He clearly had no idea it was coming as at the end of his show on Tuesday, he told Vernon Kay, who hosts the next slot, ‘See you tomorrow.’ 

“When he wasn’t at work the next day, people working at Radio 2 and other stations were led to believe he was having time off for personal reasons. No one asked many questions. 

“Now it’s come out, everyone who works at Radio 2, and in the wider BBC, are in utter shock.” 

They added: “The BBC did not issue a company-wide press release and just shared the news with the radio staff. 

“People who worked for the BBC outside of the radio service were reading about Scott on news websites. The shock around Broadcasting House in London was palpable.” 

Kay, 51, has emerged as the favourite to replace Mills full time. 

FAVOURITE FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS

By Howell Davies 

SCOTT Mills became one of the BBC’s most popular presenters after nearly three decades with the corporation. 

He was obsessed with radio while growing up around Eastleigh, Hants, joining a hospital radio station aged 12 and later working for regional stations. 

After several rejections from the Beeb, he joined Radio 1 in 1998 as cover for the early breakfast slot — and was a regular on the Top of the Pops by 1999.  

But he struggled with anxiety and depression, and his drinking spiralled after his boyfriend Mitch died in 2000. 

It almost cost him his job when he turned up for his 4am show audibly drunk following the Brit Awards. 

He said: “They could have just fired me and quite rightly so.” But he was given another chance, and now says he rarely drinks. 

In 2004, he joined the station’s daytime line-up and became renowned for signing off calls with “Love you, bye”.  

He also came up with Innuendo Bingo, where players try to not spit out water as they hear euphemisms. 

In 2022, Scott jumped ship to Radio 2 to replace Steve Wright in the afternoon slot, and eventually won the coveted breakfast slot after Zoe Ball’s exit in January 2025. At the time, he told The Sun: “I’ve worked for this my whole life.” 

The allegation made against Mills appears to relate to a time when he was working for Radio 1. 

He joined the station in 1998 on its Early Breakfast Show. His profile was boosted when he took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, paired with pro dancer Joanne Clifton.  

In November 2024 it was announced he would replace Zoe Ball on Radio 2’s flagship Breakfast Show — and he started what he called his “dream job” the ­following January. 

The drama plunges the BBC into a fresh crisis following the dismissals of other stars including Huw Edwards, plus John Torode and Gregg Wallace. 

The day Mills was called to the meeting was the same day a Channel 5 drama about the conduct of Edwards was screened. 

Martin Clunes starred in Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, telling how The Sun helped expose his double life.

The former news anchor dodged a jail sentence in September 2024 after he pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children. 

The previous July, The Sun revealed a top BBC presenter had been accused of paying a teen £35,000 in return for sordid images. Edwards was later named by his wife Vicky Flint as the ­presenter in question. 

In July last year MasterChef hosts Wallace and Torode were both sacked after an investigation into their conduct.  

The probe had been launched at the beginning of 2025. 

Outgoing BBC Director-General Tim Davie said the corporation had “lessons we can learn,” after the scandal unfolded under his watch. Former Google boss Matt Brittin will take over the Director-General role on May 18. 

Mills’s sacking from the BBC means he will no longer be involved in the BBC’s Eurovision Song Contest coverage. 

He has previously commentated on the competition’s semi-final and hosts Radio 2’s coverage. 

Earlier this month Mills was also announced as the new host of a podcast based on the BBC’s hit show Race Across The World. 

Scott’s sacking also creates a headache for EastEnders as his voice appeared in a flash-forward scene on New Year’s Day, set a year in the future. 

A representative for Scott was contacted for comment. 

TIMELINE OF SCANDALS

THE BBC has had a number of scandals involving top stars in recent years. 

2023: The Sun reveals serious allegations against Strictly pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima — with both sacked in 2024.  

AUGUST 2024: One Show host and Match Of The Day pundit Jermaine Jenas was sacked following complaints of indecent behaviour.  

SEPTEMBER 2024: Former News At Ten anchor Huw Edwards dodged jail after he admitted three counts of making indecent images of children. 

JULY 2025: Masterchef hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode were both fired over inappropriate behaviour. 

IT was supposed to be her happy ending, but just months after the death of her beloved father, Kelly Osbourne has been left mourning again.

From the outside, Kelly’s split from fiancé Sid Wilson looked like a cruel twist in increasingly fragile star’s life, but those close to Kelly have now shed some light on her apparently shock decision to end things with the Slipknot keyboard player, telling me what really sparked the break-up.

An insider explained: “After her dad Ozzy died it put everything into perspective, the main thing being, she’s realised how she wants to be treated, and what she deserves.

“Things haven’t been right for a while and she realised she needs to prioritise herself.

“She’s so fragile because of everything that’s gone on with her father and is in need of something more. She didn’t want to pour into cups that don’t pour into hers.”

She’s realised how she wants to be treated, and what she deserves.

Insider

Kelly, who shares three-year-old son Sidney with the rocker, has been spending a lot of time in the UK following Ozzy’s death in July last year, having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019.

More than ever she became her mum Sharon’s rock as they navigate this incredibly difficult time, but it’s taken its toll on Kelly. 

Her latest appearances have sparked concern not just from her fans but those close to her. 

The once bubbly looking star has drastically shrunk in size, which has led to her being called gaunt and some even saying she ‘looks like a dead body’.

My insider added: “Kelly is of course aware she looks different but has found the trolling really tough.

“Her friends have really rallied around her and are determined to make sure she is ok. Of course everyone is doing what they can to help her be happy and healthy. They are providing the light in all the dark at the moment. The last thing anyone wants is for her to lose any more weight.

“It’s a worrying time for everyone but the fact that Kelly has taken the step to end her engagement suggests she is ready to move on and start really living again.”

Concerns were raised following her appearance at the Brit Awards with mum Sharon, as dad Ozzy was honoured posthumously.

The trolls were particularly vicious, and Kelly hit back to “defend herself”,. In a  message to her 4.4 million followers she wrote: “There is a special kind of cruelty in harming someone who is clearly going through something.

“Kicking me while I’m down, doubting my pain, spreading my struggles as gossip, and turning your back when I need support and love most.

‘Hardest time’

“None of it proves strength; it only reveals a profound absence of compassion and character.

“I’m currently going through the hardest time in my life. I should not even have to defend myself. But I won’t sit here and allow myself to be dehumanised in such a way.”

Kelly and Sid first met in 1999 at Ozzfest, a music festival founded by her parents.

They were friends for over two decades before their relationship turned romantic at the end of 2021. It seemed like the perfect match.

On Valentine’s Day in 2022, Kelly gushed: “After 23 years of friendship, I can’t believe where we have ended up. You are my best friend, my soulmate, and I am so deeply in love with you, Sidney George Wilson.”

They welcomed their son Sid in January, 2023 and being a mother changed everything for Kelly.

But cracks started to show between the pair and Kelly later recalled they had the “biggest fight” shortly after Sid was born.

I can never ever forgive him for that.

Kelly on her biggest row with Sid

She said on The Osbournes podcast: “I wanted our son to have both of our last names, and [Sid] wouldn’t let me, and we had a huge fight.”

“I feel that I was forced into doing something that I didn’t want to do. I can never ever forgive him for that, but we can move on.” 

They started to have couple’s therapy – there were some  “eye opening conversations” and eventually they agreed to change their son’s last name to feature both Osborne and Wilson.

Kelly explained: “We both made our child so he should have both of our last names. Not one is more important than the other.”

Meanwhile Ozzy was becoming increasingly unwell. He returned to the UK to perform for one more time and live out his final days at his beloved family home – a Grade-II listed Georgian mansion in Buckinghamshire.

Kelly, her brother Jack and older sister Amy spent most of their childhood in the UK, where they attended several private schools before moving to LA and starring in their hit reality show The Osbournes.

It was at Ozzy’s last ever Black Sabbath gig at Villa Park in July of last year that Sid proposed – with her whole family around her. 

Sid pulled out all the stops and proposed to Kelly with a bespoke custom-designed ring from Los Angeles based jewellers, Mouawad.

He designed the ring with the team through various one-on-one meetings in order to ensure it was right for Kelly.

Sid chose to curate a dazzling 18K yellow gold ring adorned with both white and yellow diamonds, as well as citrine accents.

The centrepiece is a stunning 2.5 carat round brilliant-cut diamond with the ring being nicknamed the Honeybee – Kelly’s personal nickname.

It couldn’t be missed on Kelly’s tiny hands but in recent weeks, the bling was absent as she came to terms with her decision.

Kelly, who is currently still in the UK, is said to still be on speaking terms with Sid – who is based in the US and is determined to co-parent their son as best as possible. 

Moving on?

For the time being anyway she plans to stay by her mum’s side, and with Sid not yet starting school, there’s no immediate decision needed about where to live.

Sharon is said to still be undecided about whether she’ll remain in the UK – although Ozzy is buried in the grounds of the family home. 

We previously told how Sharon is currently playing to split her time evenly between her historic UK home, Welders, and a new apartment in Los Angeles, spending “half the year at least” on the sun-drenched West Coast. 

If Kelly and young Sid join her or set up home for good in the UK, is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure though, Kelly has found her voice and she won’t let decisions be made on her behalf. 

TOWIE star Jordan Wright has died at the age of 33 after being found in a drainage canal in Thailand and his friends and co-stars have started to speak out on the tragedy

TOWIE star Jordan Wright has died at the age of 33 after being found in a drainage canal in Thailand. The reality star, best known for appearing on The Only Way is Essex after initially finding fame on Ex on the Beach, had relocated to the had moved the luxury holiday destination just months ago in the hopes of a “fresh start” before tragedy struck.

His death was confirmed on Thursday by the local police and the Foreign Office. Police chief Sutthirak Chuthong of Choeng Thale district station said: “The guest was identified as Mr Jordan Wright, a British national, whom the hotel had been unable to contact. A search of the room revealed no signs of forced entry or other irregularities.

Shortly after the news broke, several of Jordan’s fellow celebs broke their silence on the matter as they paid tribute to the TV star, who had returned to his roots as a fireman in the years after finding fame.

READ MORE: Pregnant Sophie Kasaei ‘prays’ for hospitalised boyfriend after agonising illnessREAD MORE: Jordan Wright dead: TOWIE star, 33, dies in Thailand as tributes pour in

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In comments section of his final Instagram post, Chloe Brockett, who joined TOWIE in 2019, wrote: “Rest in Peace,” and emblazoned her comment with a heart emoji. Following that, Chloe Crowhurst, who found fame on Love Island, wrote: “Rest in peace Jord” alongside a white heart and cloud emoji.

Rykard Jenkins, another Love Islander, didn’t leave any words but chose to pay tribute in the form of a while love heart emoji and a symbol of hands in prayer.

Model Georgia Mercer wrote: “RIP Jord. You had the most infectious energy. Thank you for the laughs,” whilst influencer Scarlett Ellis saidL: “Such a lovely person gone too soon. Rest peacefully Jordan”

Tragic Jordan was discovered lying face down in the canal in a grey shirt and black trousers without any shoes on. A keycard for the Coco Phuket Bangtao Hotel was found in his pocket, police have said, with his phone nearby on the canal bank. Investigators have said there were no signs of physical assault or a struggle. His body has since been taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy.

It’s understood his body was found by a Burmese worker close to Bang Tao Beach on Saturday afternoon – roughly around 12.30pm. The Foreign Office also shared a statement on Jordan’s death.

A Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities,” they told the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile tributes from shocked friends have poured in online, with many taking to Jordan’s last post shared on Instagram – which he posted just last week. The post features a photo of Jordan smiling while holding a glass of wine and sat in an infinity pool.

Meanwhile tributes from shocked friends have been made online, with many commenting on Jordan’s last post shared on Instagram – which he posted just last week. The post features a photo of Jordan in an infinity pool, smiling while holding a glass of wine.

“I’m home,” he declared in the Instagram post, alongside an emoji of the flag of Thailand. He continued: “FT The best bath I’ve ever taken”. One heartbroken pal wrote: “Oh Jord, gone way too soon. Rest in peace darling”. Another added: “Can’t believe what I’m hearing. Lots of fun times and good memories with you mate. Rest easy.”

In a post shared in December, he posed with pals at The Big Buddah in Phucket and gushed in the comments: “A very exiting year ahead”.

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