The has admitted it knew about allegations against Scott Mills almost a year before they moved to sack the star.
Showbiz
BBC Aware of Scott Mills Allegations for Months
The BBC has admitted it knew about allegations against Scott Mills almost a year before they moved to sack the star.The Radio 2 DJ, 53, was stunningly axed by t...
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The Radio 2 DJ, 53, was stunningly axed by the Corporation on Monday six days after being hauled off air following what proved to be his final breakfast show.
Last night, the Daily Mirror linked the decision to fire Mills to a 2018 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy between 1997 and 2000. The case was dropped around seven years ago due to a lack of evidence.
The boy in question was 'under 16 years of age' at the time of the alleged offences and came forward decades later, the Daily Mail revealed today.
And in a further humiliation for the BBC, it has emerged the broadcaster was contacted by a former presenter regarding alleged 'inappropriate communications' involving Mills, the Telegraph reports.
Freelance journalist Anna Brees told the Corporation in May 2025 she had received details of the allegations - not necessarily relating to the same alleged victim about which Mills was questioned in 2018 - from a source.
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She asked whether the BBC was 'ever aware of or involved in any related matters' and if it had ever been handed any 'formal or informal complaints' about Mills 'relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment'.
Ms Brees - who presented news programmes for the broadcaster between 2003 and 2011 - also inquired as to whether the Corporation had ever investigated its star DJ's behaviour.
The BBC has admitted it knew about allegations against Scott Mills, pictured this month, almost a year before they moved to sack the star
Mills pictured with Emily Atack at his house in 2012. He previously explained how he regretted participating in some of the shows he had appeared on
The Radio 2 DJ, pictured, was stunningly axed by the Corporation on Monday six days after being hauled off air following what proved to be his final breakfast show
But she claims she was rebuffed on all fronts, never receiving a response from the BBC.
On Tuesday the broadcaster admitted her information 'should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions'.
A spokesperson for the BBC said: 'We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information.
'This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.
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'More broadly, we would always urge anyone who has concerns or information to raise it with us.'
Ms Brees said: 'It was a credible source and I was concerned so I decided to contact the BBC to make them aware of it and see if they came back with anything. I didn't get a response.'
Mills is pictured enjoying a boozy night out with Alan Carr in 2009
Mills married his long-term partner Sam Vaughan at a celebrity-studded wedding in Barcelona in 2024. They are pictured at an awards ceremony in February this year
Mills pictured earlier in his career. He joined the BBC in 1998 after starting his career in local radio at home in Hampshire
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Another senior broadcaster at the BBC has said there is 'total shock' at the corporation after Mills's sacking.
There were apparently 'audible gasps' from staff as they were told on Monday morning in an email from BBC director of music Lorna Clarke.
Several stars who have spent time with him described him as 'kind and generous' and that friends are 'devastated' for him.
He was also described by a radio colleague as 'hugely popular' internally.
'It is not like the BBC to act so fast', a household name broadcaster told the Daily Mail.
Another source claimed that wild rumours are flying around Broadcasting House about the reason for his sacking.
'No suspension period or prolonged investigation does not bode well', another insider said.
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