Scott Mills questioned by police in 2018 over sex offence allegations against teenage boy

Scott Mills was questioned by police over allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy under the age of 16, it has emerged.

As the BBC reports, the Metropolitan Police said a man, who was in his forties at the time of the interview, was investigated over allegations reported to have happened between 1997 and 2000.

The new information comes after Mills, who hosted BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show, was sacked by the corporation yesterday (March 30).

A statement from the BBC said Mills’ dismissal related to allegations linked to “personal conduct”. The story was initially broken by The Mirror, who said that the allegations concerned a “historic relationship”.

The same newspaper then reported that the sacking was linked to a police investigation in 2016 into alleged sexual offences which eventually led Mills to be questioned by police two years later.

A Metropolitan police spokesperson said: “In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force. The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy.

“These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000. As part of these enquiries, a man who was in his forties at the time of the interview was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

“A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.”

The update on the age of the boy was confirmed by the BBC this morning.

Mills was last heard on the radio last Tuesday (March 24) and ended his programme by saying that he would be “back tomorrow”.

He was absent the following day and Gary Davies stood in for him, though no reason for his absence was given.

Lorna Clarke, Director of Music at BBC has also shared a message with staff regarding the updates. “I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock,” Clarke stated, per The Mirror.

“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. 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.”

Mills also hosted a weekend show on BBC Radio 5 Live and appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014. In 2024 he won BBC’s Celebrity Race Across the World with his husband Sam Vaughan.