The 53‑year‑old presenter, who took over the flagship Radio 2 Breakfast Show in January 2025, was taken off air last week and replaced without warning the following morning. The BBC says the celebrity is “no longer contracted to work with the BBC”.
Taken off air without explanation
Mills ended his programme on Tuesday 24 March telling listeners he would be “back tomorrow”. But the next day, colleague Gary Davies opened the show instead, saying he was “in for Scott Mills”.
By midday, the story was leading Radio 2’s own news bulletin. Jeremy Vine told listeners he was “taken aback” and had “no further information” beyond what had been reported.
Staff told in sudden internal email
In an email to staff, Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s director of music, said the news would come as a “shock”, adding that many colleagues had worked with Mills “across a broad range of programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV”.
She said she would update staff on future plans for the Breakfast Show “when I’m able to”, but would not be commenting further.
Complaint assessed before dismissal
According to The Mirror, Mills was removed from the air while the BBC assessed information relating to a complaint about his personal conduct. Sources told the paper he was informed at the weekend that his contract had been terminated.
The BBC has not provided any details about the allegation.
A familiar face in Swansea
Mills is well‑known to audiences in Swansea after starring in Swansea Grand Theatre’s 2024 Christmas pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. His appearance drew large crowds and marked one of the Grand’s biggest festive productions in recent years.
(Image: Grand Theatre Swansea / Imagine Theatre)
One of the BBC’s highest‑paid and most‑listened‑to presenters
Mills earned between £355,000 and £359,999 in the latest published pay band, making him one of the corporation’s top‑earning stars. His audience reached 6.5 million listeners in February — the highest since he took over the Breakfast Show.
He joined Radio 2 in 2022 after more than two decades at Radio 1, where he hosted the Official Chart and the long‑running Scott Mills Show. He has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, Comic Relief, Casualty, River City and numerous entertainment programmes.
A high‑profile year cut short
Mills won BBC’s Celebrity Race Across the World in 2024 with his now‑husband Sam Vaughan, describing it as “the best year of my life”. He had been due to front a new visualised podcast linked to the series.
His last TV appearance was a Comic Relief sketch earlier this month.
Listeners left stunned
The sudden nature of his departure has left Radio 2 audiences and colleagues reeling, with no replacement yet announced for the UK’s most‑listened‑to breakfast slot.
The BBC says it will share further information “when able”.
