Rylan Clark has reportedly been left heartbroken after his close friend and long-time colleague Scott Mills was dramatically axed by the BBC, sending shockwaves through the broadcasting world.
The 53-year-old radio star was dismissed last week after it emerged that the Metropolitan Police had previously investigated allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16, said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.
Although the investigation — launched in 2016 — was closed in 2019 with no charges brought due to insufficient evidence, the fallout has been swift and brutal.
Behind the scenes, sources say Mills’ inner circle — including his closest allies at the BBC — have been left stunned, with many struggling to process the sudden turn of events.
And for Rylan, the news has hit particularly hard.
The TV presenter, who has worked closely with Mills for years across BBC radio and Eurovision projects, is said to be “devastated” by the situation. The pair shared not only a strong professional bond but a genuine friendship off-air, often supporting each other through career highs and personal milestones.
Rylan was even a guest at Mills’ wedding to husband Sam Vaughan in Barcelona just 18 months ago, later calling it the “best wedding ever” — a reflection of just how close the two had become.
An insider revealed that Rylan and Scott were incredibly tight, explaining they had worked together extensively but also spent a lot of time together socially. They always had each other’s backs, and this situation has been especially tough for Rylan to come to terms with.
In his first public statement since the controversy erupted, Mills confirmed he had fully cooperated with the police investigation and addressed the speculation surrounding his departure.
He explained that an allegation had been made against him in 2016 relating to a historic offence, which he responded to during a police investigation in 2018. According to Mills, a file of evidence was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which ultimately concluded that there was not enough evidence to proceed with charges.
Reflecting on the situation, he acknowledged that the recent announcement of his BBC exit had sparked widespread rumours and speculation, but expressed hope that the public would respect his decision not to comment further given the age of the case.
He also took a moment to thank those who had supported him, including former colleagues and loyal listeners, admitting he missed them greatly.
The BBC, meanwhile, has confirmed it had been aware of the investigation as far back as 2017. However, the broadcaster insisted it took decisive action only after receiving new information in the weeks leading up to Mills’ dismissal.
A spokesperson stated that while Mills had enjoyed a long and popular career at the BBC, the organisation had acted in line with its values after reviewing the latest developments. They added that there were limits to what could be publicly disclosed, given the sensitivity of the matter and the rights of those involved.
The corporation also acknowledged that it is now reviewing what was previously known internally, while reiterating its commitment to stricter standards and accountability following recent cultural reforms.
For now, the fallout continues — with friendships strained, reputations shaken, and one of BBC radio’s most familiar voices suddenly silenced, leaving those closest to him, including Rylan, trying to make sense of it all.
