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.
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BBC colleagues gasped in shock as news broke of Scott Mills’ sudden axingCredit: BBCScott Mills with Zoe Ball after he was named as her replacement on the Radio 2 Breakfast ShowCredit: PA
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.
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.
“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.”
Mills with pro dancer Joanne Clifton on Strictly in 2014Credit: HandoutThe sacked DJ with husband Sam winning Celebrity Race Across The World in 2024Credit: PA
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.”
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.
Scott Mills taken off Radio 2 unexpectedly after handing over to colleague Vernon KayCredit: AlamyMills was slated to host Eurovision this yearCredit: PA
“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 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 CelebrityRace 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.
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.
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.
Mills 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 screenedCredit: PAIt remains unclear who will replace Mills on the prime time slotCredit: BBC
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.
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
12:41, 13 Mar 2026Updated 12:56, 13 Mar 2026
Bob realises how misguided his remarks are once he spends time with youth worker Chris(Image: 72 Films)
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.”
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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
Technical director Colin Calderwood has been put in charge on an interim basis, assisted by Ian Sampson, both ex-Northampton managers.
“We will always be grateful to Kevin for his hard work here, he helped keep us up last season and we enjoyed a strong first half of this season,” chairman Kelvin Thomas said in a statement., external
“But since Christmas the sequence of performances and results have led us to believe a change is in the best interests of all concerned.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Colin’s experience, supported by Ian Sampson and the rest of the staff to look after matters on an interim basis.”
Nolan’s departure came on the 129th anniversary of Northampton’s formation and they are the 10th League One club out of 24 to part company with their boss this season.
