Scott Mills was dismissed from the BBC last Friday after new information came to light regarding a historical police investigation from 2017.
The broadcasting giant explained the reason behind what appeared to be a quick decision to let go of the former Radio 2 host was that the current management only became aware in recent weeks that the person involved in the investigation was under 16, and "acted decisively."
The decision was made despite the fact that the investigation was dropped in 2019 because of a lack of evidence, but according to reports, fresh claims relating to the same complainant emerged before the BBC took Mills off air last week, and he was sacked days later.
© BBC/Owen ScurfieldA timeline of events
1997-200 - Allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy under the age of 16 were reported to have taken place between this period, the Metropolitan Police says.
October 1998 - Scott joins BBC Radio 1, presenting the early breakfast show.
December 2016 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary received an allegation of non-recent sexual offences against a teenage boy, dating back to the 1990s. The allegation is passed to the Metropolitan Police, according to a statement from the Hampshire force on April 1 2026.
2017 - The BBC is made aware of the existence of an ongoing police investigation, though the corporation does not specify an exact date in a statement issued on April 1 2026.
July 2018 - Scott is interviewed under caution by the Met. The Sun later reported that Mills denied the claims at the time and informed the BBC.
May 2019 - The police investigation is closed, with no arrest or charge, after the Crown Prosecution Service advised that the evidence was insufficient, according to a Met statement on March 30 2026.
July 2022 - Scott moves to BBC Radio 2, succeeding Steve Wright as weekday afternoon presenter.
November 2024 - Scott takes over from Zoe Ball to present BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show.
May 2025 - According to PA, Anna Brees, a freelance journalist, emails the BBC about alleged "inappropriate communications" involving the radio DJ, but does not receive a response.
© Dave Benett/WireImageRecent events
24 March 2026 - Scott hosts his final show and signs off with: "See you tomorrow."
25 March 2026 - Veteran DJ Gary Davies replaces Scott from March 25. Gary does not give the reason for Scott’s absence and just tells listeners: "Morning, Gary in for Scott."
27 March 2026 - The BBC terminates Scott Mills’ contract after obtaining "new information" in recent weeks. At this point, this information or news of his sacking is not in the public domain.
30 March 2026 - 11.30 am: The Mirror reports that Scott has been sacked over allegations relating to his personal conduct. The newspaper said it “understands the allegation relates to a historic relationship” from more than 10 years ago.
11.55 am - BBC News confirms the sacking on its website. In a statement, the BBC says: "While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted and has left the BBC."
12:00 pm - The news leads Monday’s noon bulletin on Scott’s former station, BBC Radio 2. At the start of his own Radio 2 show, Jeremy Vine says he is "taken aback." In an email sent to staff, Lorna Clarke, director of music, writes: "I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock."
9.50 pm - The Met issues a statement, first reported by the Mirror, saying a man was questioned by police over allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy in 2018, but the case was dropped because of lack of evidence. It does not name Scott.
31 March 2026 - Police tell BBC News the teenage boy at the centre of the investigation was under the age of 16 at the time.
Children’s cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK says it has decided to “part ways” with Scott, who had been a patron of the organisation.
© Instagram/ @realscottmillsThe latest
1 April 2026 - The BBC confirms in a statement that it knew about the police investigation into Mills in 2017, but says it “acted decisively after "new information" about his conduct came to light in recent weeks. Scott breaks his silence on the scandal, revealing he had co-operated fully with the investigation, adding he has been the subject of "rumour and speculation."
2 April - Scott replaced by Tyler West on upcoming podcast series Race Across the World: The Detour, which first airs on 2 April.
BBC News report that the current management only became aware in recent weeks that the person was under 16 and took action.
