The shock dismissal of Scott Mills from BBC Radio 2 has taken an even darker turn, after a full police statement confirmed the presenter had once been investigated over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy.
The case, which had remained largely buried for years, resurfaced this week — casting a long shadow over the broadcaster’s sudden and decisive move to remove one of its most recognisable voices.
According to the Metropolitan Police, the investigation began in December 2016 after a referral from another force. The allegations related to incidents said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000, during the early stages of Mills’ career.
As part of the enquiry, a man in his 40s at the time — understood to be Mills — was formally questioned under caution in July 2018.
A spokesperson for the Met confirmed that the case centred on claims of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. A full file of evidence was later passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, but prosecutors concluded that the evidential threshold required to bring charges had not been met. Following that decision, the investigation was officially closed in May 2019.
Despite the case being dropped, the revelations have ignited fresh scrutiny over what the BBC knew — and when.
The allegations date back to the period when Mills was rising through the ranks at Radio 1, though it remains unclear whether the corporation had been informed of the investigation at the time. What is clear, however, is that the BBC moved with striking speed last week after receiving a separate complaint related to his personal conduct.
Insiders have described the decision to sack Mills as “quick and decisive”, with the broadcaster maintaining contact with the complainant in the aftermath.
Inside BBC studios, the reaction was immediate and visceral. Staff were reportedly left “shell-shocked”, with audible gasps heard when news of his removal broke.
An internal email sent by BBC Director of Music Lorna Clarke confirmed that Mills would not be returning, acknowledging the shock felt across both staff and listeners. She told colleagues the news would be “sudden and unexpected”, adding that many who had worked with him over decades would find it difficult to process.
The BBC, meanwhile, has remained tight-lipped publicly, stating only that Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the corporation.
Mills himself has yet to comment.
His abrupt exit marks a dramatic fall for a presenter whose career spanned nearly three decades — from a teenage hopeful sending demo tapes to local radio, to becoming one of the most familiar voices on British airwaves.
But now, with past investigations dragged back into the spotlight and unanswered questions lingering, the silence surrounding his departure may prove just as loud as the scandal itself.
