sacked

BBC bosses are poised to offer Sara Cox the Radio 2 Breakfast Show job after Scott Mills’s sacking, insiders told The Sun. 

Sources said veteran broadcaster Sara, 51, was seen as the “heir apparent” for the role — which is widely regarded as the best job in radio. 

Mills, who had hosted the show since January 2025, was dismissed last month. 

It came after new information about a police investigation over alleged sex offences with a boy aged under 16 in 2018 came to light at the BBC. OJ Borg and Gary Davies have filled in since Mills left the station. 

Insiders said they expected Sara, who joined the BBC in 1999 as a Radio 1 DJ, to be offered the job this summer. 

A source said: “Sara is the heir apparent for the Breakfast Show job. 

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“Since Scott left, she has been the name which has been discussed as the best candidate and everyone at Radio 2 is saying she will be offered it. 

“Sara has made a huge success of her drivetime slot and is hugely popular at the station, plus she’s hosted the Breakfast Show as a stand-in before. 

“The BBC won’t be rushing this through as they want the dust to settle. But Sara is the one in line and, as far as her colleagues are concerned, she is the best person for the job.” 

Sara, who began a TV career in the 90s, featured on Radio 2 as a cover host for various shows in 2012 while still working for Radio 1.

The mum-of-three landed her first permanent Radio 2 show, hosting Sounds of the 80s on Saturday nights, the following year. 

She went on to replace Simon Mayo as the drivetime presenter in 2019 and stood in on the Breakfast Show in 2025. 

That year, she was chosen to complete a Children in Need challenge and raised over £11.5million after walking and running 135 miles in five days. 

She said of working for Radio 2: “It’s sort of my dream job.” 

SCOTT SPOTTED

By Emily-Jane Heap 

SCOTT Mills is seen for the first time since being sacked by the BBC. 

The star, who was axed as Radio 2 Breakfast Show host, was out walking walked his dog with his husband Sam Vaughan. 

Mills, 53, confirmed he was quizzed by police in 2018 following an allegation of a historical sexual offence against a boy under 16. 

The case was dropped due to a lack of evidence. 

But Mills was sacked last month after new information came to light, the BBC said. 

He was allowed to keep his job for almost a decade despite the BBC being made aware in 2017 of an ongoing probe. 

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. 

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‘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’s taken 18 months, but Bob Lomas has been shown the error of his ways and has said sorry to all those he offended

Sacked Reform candidate Bob Lomas has apologised for the racist comment that saw him disowned by party leader Nigel Farage 18 months ago, after being chained to a Black youth worker on Channel 4’s Handcuffed.

The former soldier, 70, has posted his apology on Instagram, after he was persuaded by Chris Preddie that his views were offensive and racist. In the video post the ex-Reform member, from Yorkshire, said: “My name is Bob Lomas and 18 months ago I said that Black people should get off their lazy arses, go and get a job and stop acting like savages.

“I can’t change what I said, I can only apologise for saying it. I vehemently apologise for using those words. I made a bloody big mistake and I am bloody sorry that I did and I want to apologise to anybody that is affected.”

Handcuffed, hosted by Jonathan Ross, sees people with opposing viewers shackled together for a shot at the £100,000 prize. In Monday’s episode viewers will see Chris Googling Bob to find out who he is actually chained to.

Bob admits having made the shocking comment that ended his political career, on Facebook, but starts off defending himself, arguing: “Everything’s racist if you want it to be. I witnessed a riot in London and was appalled by what was happening in my capital city. I could have worded it better but it gets to the point where you can’t say anything about anything.”

But Londoner Chris, who was awarded the OBE 13 years ago at the age of 25 for his inspirational youth work, said that the terminology had left him feeling “quite disgusted”. And once he has explained his own background, Bob backs down and admits that his views were wrong.

In the programme, Chris tells him that his father had died after being caught up in gangs and he was quickly groomed for a life of crime. himself. “I didn’t have a role model,” he explains. “I didn’t want to sell drugs but, if I didn’t, then I’m not eating. Not surviving.”

He credits the youth worker who helped him to break out with having “saved my life” because Chris feels certain he’d be “dead or in prison” without that support. Getting the OBE from the late Queen Elizabeth had been a huge honour. “I was so proud,” he confesses. “People started to see me as a normal citizen – I was told my whole life that I’d amount to nothing.”

Looking moved by what he’s learned, Bob admits that Chris’s story is “very, very shocking” and tells the camera that he’s impressed by how he not only got out, but went on to help others do the same. “He used that experience to help bring other young men and women out of that mindset. What he does for his community is unbelievable. I salute him.”

Bob was standing as the Reform candidate for Barnsley North when he was dropped by party leader Farage, along with two others, in June 2024 over remarks made by all three on social media. Speaking on Question Time afterwards, Farage claimed: “I wouldn’t want anything to do with them”. The racism within Reform was widely condemned by other political leaders, with Farage told to “get a grip” on his party.

– Handcuffed – Last Pair Standing continues on Monday, Channel 4, 9pm

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