Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills sacked by BBC over 'personal conduct'

DJ Scott Mills has been sacked by the BBC, it has emerged.

The Radio 2 star, who has been with the corporation for nearly three decades, had his contract terminated at the weekend, following an allegation relating to his "personal conduct".

The 53-year-old presenter was taken off air on his Radio 2 show last Tuesday, while the BBC assessed the claims.

A BBC spokesperson said: "While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted and has left the BBC."

Mills - who was the BBC's 11th highest-paid star last year - took over the breakfast show from Zoe Ball in January 2025. It's the most listened-to breakfast show in the UK, according to RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research) data.

He signed off his last show on Tuesday, 24 March, saying: "Back tomorrow," but on Wednesday morning, DJ Gary Davies presented the show.

Although still titled "The Scott Mills Breakfast Show," Mills's photo has been replaced with a photo of Davies, and the schedule says "Gary Davies sits in...".

Davies has not directly addressed the reason for Mills's absence while hosting the show.

'Sudden' and 'unexpected' news

An internal email, sent by Lorna Clarke, director of music at the BBC, told staff: "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.

"I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.

"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 Mills's sacking led the 12pm news bulletin on Radio 2, while Jeremy Vine, whose show followed, said he was "taken aback by the story", but had "no further information" than was provided in the bulletin.

Acting DG notes 'pressure' on staff following Mills's departure

In an email sent to staff later in the day, and seen by Sky News, acting director general Rhodri Talfan Davies wrote: "I'm sure by now that many of you will have seen the news that Scott Mills has left the Radio 2 Breakfast Show and the BBC.

"As Lorna Clarke, our Director of Music, acknowledged in an earlier message to her team, this will come as a shock to many of you, given Scott's profile and the sudden nature of this announcement.

"Of course, it will also be a shock to our audience and loyal Radio 2 Breakfast Show listeners. The Radio 2 team will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when they are able to.

"In the meantime, I just want to recognise the pressure this puts on them, many of whom have worked with Scott for many years."

A radio star, with TV credits and forthcoming podcast

Growing up in Southampton, Hampshire, Mills got his first radio job on hospital radio aged 12, followed by his first professional radio role at 16. Quickly working his way up, he presented on commercial stations around the country before joining the BBC in 1998 as host of the Radio 1 breakfast show.

He went on to present weekend slots for the station and then an early evening show while providing maternity cover for Sara Cox. The show was renamed The Scott Mills Show when Cox did not return.

In 2022, Mills joined Radio 2, replacing Steve Wright in his weekday afternoon slot. He's also presented other shows on the station, commentated on the Eurovision Song Contest and hosted a weekend show on Radio 5 Live.

Appearing on several soaps and dramas in the 2000s, Mills had minor acting roles in Hollyoaks, Casualty and River City, and appeared on game shows including Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Supermarket Sweep and Mastermind.

In 2014, Mills appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, in 2016 he won a celebrity special of Robot Wars and in 2024 he won BBC's Celebrity Race Across The World with his partner Sam Vaughan. The couple got married shortly after filming the show.

His last TV appearance was in a Traitors-themed sketch on Comic Relief earlier this month.

Mills earned between £355,000 and £359,999 according to the corporation's last annual report.

He had been due to present a new Race Across The World podcast - Race Across the World: The Detour - billed as "coming soon", and support Boyzone on their Two For The Road gigs in June.

Sky News has contacted representatives for Scott Mills for comment.

(c) Sky News 2026: Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills sacked by BBC over 'personal conduct'