The Metropolitan Police have confirmed the complainant at the centre of a historic sexual offences investigation involving Scott Mills was a teenage boy under 16 years old when the alleged incidents occurred.
The disclosure came following Monday’s announcement that the BBC had terminated the 53-year-old presenter’s contract over allegations concerning his personal conduct, though the Corporation has not clarified what connection, if any, exists between the police investigation and his dismissal.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman stated the investigation centred on “allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy” reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000. The inquiry commenced in December 2016 following a referral from another police force.
Mills, who was in his 40s at the time, was questioned under caution by detectives in July 2018. A complete evidence file was subsequently submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined the evidential threshold for bringing charges had not been met. The investigation was formally closed in May 2019.
The BBC confirmed on Monday that Mills “is no longer contracted to work with the BBC,” though the broadcaster declined to provide further details about the circumstances surrounding his departure. BBC News understands that then-director general Tony Hall was unaware of the allegations during the investigation period.
Mills’ final broadcast occurred on Tuesday, 24 March, when he signed off telling listeners: “Back tomorrow.” DJ Gary Davies assumed presenting duties the following day, announcing he was “in for Scott Mills.”
The Radio 2 breakfast show host had earned between £355,000 and £359,999 during the 12 months to April 2025, making him the Corporation’s 11th highest-paid personality, according to the latest annual report. His full salary for the breakfast slot is expected to be substantially higher when revealed in the next BBC Annual Report this summer.
Mills had assumed control of Radio 2’s flagship morning programme from Zoe Ball in January 2025, having worked for the BBC for over 25 years. He joined Radio 2’s weekday schedule in 2022, replacing Steve Wright in the afternoon slot.
Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s director of music, acknowledged in an email to staff that the news would “come as a shock,” adding: “Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too.”
The departure represents another setback for the Corporation, coming after News at Ten presenter Huw Edwards was convicted in 2024 of making indecent images of children, whilst Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood faces trial next year on charges including rape, which he denies.
