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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. 

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved two prosecution reform bills that would dismantle the current prosecution service later this year to separate its exclusive power to both initiate criminal probes and indict suspects.

When promulgated, it would mark a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s prosecution system. Under the new laws, the prosecution office will be shut down in October, 78 years after its establishment in 1948, and two new agencies will exercise indictment and investigate roles, respectively.

The bills on establishing the so-called serious crimes investigation agency and the indictment agency, pushed by the ruling Democratic Party (DP), were passed at the National Assembly last week in a plenary session boycotted by the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).

Under the laws, the new indictment agency will handle only indictments, while investigative powers will be transferred to the newly established serious crimes investigation agency.

The new investigative body will be established under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and will be responsible for probing six major crimes, including corruption, economic offenses, defense industry-related crimes and drug offenses.

The government has been seeking to separate the prosecution service’s authority over both indictment and investigation amid longstanding criticism that the prosecution has abused its exclusive powers by carrying out politically motivated investigations.

The DP has argued that the reform is needed to curb potential political abuse of prosecutorial power, while the PPP has warned it could weaken checks on investigators and increase the risk of political influence.

The two new agencies are set to be established after the abolition of the prosecution office.

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One the UK’s biggest tour operators has suspended its profit guidance after revealing impact of Middle East war on bookings

Spooked Brits are putting their holiday plans on hold because of the Middle East crisis.

Leading holiday firm On the Beach revealed a “significant” drop in demand from British families to Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt. “The timing of when the conflict will end and the shape of recovery in demand to these destinations are unknown,” it said.

At the same time, there are are warnings that the cost of a summer getaways could jump after a spike in jet fuel prices. It comes as many UK families would be booking sunshine trips for the Easter holidays.

The scale of the hit to bookings was enough for On the Beach to suspend its full year profit guidance. Boss Shaun Morton said: “Following the onset of the conflict in the Middle East, our operational teams have been working round the clock to support directly impacted customers in resort and to enable a return home as soon as possible.”

READ MORE: Saudi oil giant warns of ‘catastrophic consequences’ to global fuel suppliesREAD MORE: Mortgage rates hit 5% and deals slump after latest Iran war fall-out

The fall-out from the Iran war has already seen fuel prices jump and the cost of fixed rate mortgages rise. Industry experts Moneyfacts said the average two-year fixed rate mortgage had risen again, from 5.01% 5.04%. The average five-year fixed deal went up from 5.09% to 5.13%.

It came as oil prices remained at around $100 on Thursday – as two tankers were ablaze in Iraqi waters after what appeared to be Iranian strikes.

The latest wave of attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle East came as Iran warned the world should be ready for oil to hit $200 a barrel.

The conflict has spread across the region and prompted the International Energy Agency to recommended releasing 400 million barrels from reserves to dampen one of the worst oil shocks since the 1970s, the biggest such intervention in history.

Iran has made clear it intends to impose a prolonged economic shock.

Oil prices, which shot up earlier in the week to nearly $120 a barrel before retreating, jumped almost 10% back above $100 amid renewed fears about supply disruption.

Iranian explosive-laden boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters setting them ablaze and killing one crew member.

Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, said: “Overnight attacks on shipping off Iran are the stuff of nightmares for investors, confirming that one of the world’s key waterways is closed to shipping and resulting in a fresh surge in oil prices.”

US President Donald Trump claimed the IEA decision “will substantially reduce oil prices as we end this threat to America and the world.”

So far there has been no sign that ships can safely sail through the Strait of Hormuz, the now-blockaded channel along the Iranian coast that serves as a conduit for around a fifth of the world’s oil.

An Iranian military spokesperson said the Strait was “undoubtedly” under Iran’s control.

On the road to this point, he has lost a few warriors – Jamie Ritchie and Jamie Dobie after the Calcutta Cup and now Scott Cummings and Gregor Brown, too.

That’s a stellar cast list in the casualty unit, particularly the three forwards and especially the locks, who have been immense in Scotland’s recovery from the despondency of Rome.

Elliot Millar-Mills, previously unsung, had such a terrific impact off the bench against England and Wales that his injury can now be categorised as a blow.

In keeping with this trippy, but utterly wonderful, championship, Duhan van der Merwe is also out, a loss that would have been seen as an absolute calamity not that long ago.

Now, given his bit-part season, it’s merely regrettable but entirely salvageable. Even on his very best form it’s hard to see how he would have shifted Graham, scorer of two tries against France, and Kyle Steyn, arguably the player of the entire tournament so far.

In the four games, Townsend has started two different full-backs and three different left wings. He has changed his hooker from Italy to England, England to Wales and Wales to France – Ewan Ashman, George Turner and Dave Cherry all getting the nod at different times.

He’s had three different second-row combinations and three different back-rows. Some of this has been forced by injury.

His first three benches have had a 5-3 split before he switched to 6-2 against France, a day when Rory Darge, the brilliant flanker, ended up playing centre alongside the inspirational captain, Sione Tuipulotu.

So what now? Ireland were blown away by France, sneaked home against Italy, were utterly imperious against England and then battled to a win against Wales.

They have issues with their scrum, among other things, but they have home advantage and an astonishing win rate against Scotland.

Does Townsend have many big calls to make for such a momentous game?