Scott Mills has been axed from BBC Radio 2 following a complaint about his personal conduct
Husna Anjum Senior Live News Reporter and Tom Bryant
15:47, 30 Mar 2026
Scott Mills hosting his first Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2(Image: PA)
Friends and colleagues are in ‘shock’ following the firing of Scott Mills by the BBC. The surprise termination relates to a historic relationship dating back more than ten years, according to exclusive reports.
The 53-year-old was taken off air from his Radio 2 show last Wednesday (March 25) while the BBC assessed the information. He was told his contract was terminated at the weekend, according to The Mirror.
Mills took over the flagship breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025. The BBC said: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”
The BBC informed staff this morning who are said to be “shell-shocked.” Lorna Clarke, Director of Music, said in a statement to staff: “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. Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV.
Scott Mills is no longer working for the BBC(Image: Getty Images)
“I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.”
She added: “Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to.
“While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.”
News of Scott Mills’ axing led the 12pm bulletin on his former station BBC Radio 2. At the start of his show on BBC Radio 2, Jeremy Vine said he was “taken aback” by the news about Scott Mills.
He said: “Obviously, I was taken aback by that opening story to the news. I had not 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.
(Image: PA)
“I have no more than that. Alright, on to today’s show.”
On March 24, Scott, 53, presented his last show and told listeners during his sign off: “I’m getting everything mixed up today,” adding: “I should probably go, I’ll try again tomorrow.” However, the following day he was replaced without warning by colleague Gary Davies.
Mills earns between £355,000 and £359,999 annually for his work at the BBC, according to the 2024–2025 pay report. Following the announcement he was to take over the top job from Zoe Ball, Mills said it was a ‘lifelong dream come true.
“It feels ever since recording my first shows as a kid for an audience of one, my mum, all roads since have led to this amazing opportunity. It really is a lifelong dream come true to follow in the footsteps of Sir Terry, Chris and Zoe to be the new presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.”
He said on his afternoon show at the time: “Safe to say we’re going to miss [Zoe] massively in a morning, but she 100 percent deserves a lie-in. And, as you’ll have heard in the news, it’s been announced that I am taking over the ‘Breakfast Show’.
“What? This is a huge honour, to walk in the footsteps of Sir Terry, Chris Evans and Zoe. And when I started doing shows in my bedroom just for my mum when I was eight.
“Or joined hospital radio at 12. Or got my first proper radio show at the age of 16, you just never think that it would ever turn out like this.
“I’m thrilled. I’m overwhelmed by all the love. I still can’t quite believe it.”
Mills began his BBC career on Radio 1 in the late 1990s as the early breakfast host, before going on to present weekend slots and then an early evening show while providing maternity cover for Sara Cox. When Cox did not return, the programme was renamed The Scott Mills Show.
In 2022, he joined Radio 2, replacing Steve Wright in his weekday afternoon slot. He has presented a number of shows on the station before taking up the Breakfast Show after Ball’s departure.
He has also presented a weekend show on Radio 5 Live and appeared on series 12 of Strictly Come Dancing, where he was paired with professional dancer Joanne Clifton, becoming the fifth couple to be eliminated. In 2024 he and husband Sam Vaughan won the celebrity edition of Race Around the World.
Reflecting on the experience that came just after landing the Radio 2 Breakfast slot, Scott, told the Mirror: “I had such a mad year last year, it was the best year of my life,” and added: “I’m honestly the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.”
Mills said his new found happiness translated into his professional performance and overall demeanour, adding, “that will affect how good you are on air, how you appear, how you look, if you look happy. People now say to me every day ‘Oh my God, you look so happy with life.’
“And maybe they wouldn’t have said that before. I really feel like I finally sorted it out and everything is in order.”
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