BBC Stars Rally Behind Scott Mills After Shock Exit

BBC stars including Zoe Ball, Sara Cox and Rylan Clark have publicly shown support for Scott Mills after his sudden departure from the corporation.

The former Radio 2 Breakfast host, 53, was dismissed in March after the BBC said it had received new information linked to a historic police investigation into alleged serious sexual offences. Mills was never charged, and the Crown Prosecution Service previously decided there was not enough evidence to bring a case.

The allegations, which reportedly date back to between 1997 and 2000, involved a teenage boy under 16. Mills has said he fully cooperated with police when questioned under caution in 2018.

Now, several of his former BBC colleagues have made a visible show of loyalty online. Zoe Ball, Sara Cox and Rylan Clark all posted heart emojis beneath an Instagram photo shared by Mills’ husband, Sam Vaughan, marking the couple’s second wedding anniversary.

Zoe wrote: “Love you,” followed by red hearts, while Sara and Rylan also left supportive messages.

The public gesture comes at a difficult time for Mills, who spent nearly three decades at the BBC and was one of the broadcaster’s most recognisable radio voices.

Sara Cox, a long-time friend and colleague of Mills, has since been announced as the new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. She described the opportunity as a dream come true, saying she felt “ecstatic, honoured and incredibly chuffed” to take on the iconic slot.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Vine has also spoken warmly about Mills, calling him a “very popular bloke” and saying he sent him a private message of support after the sacking.

Mills has reportedly begun legal action against the BBC, with friends claiming he believes he was unfairly dismissed and treated as a “scapegoat” following a series of high-profile scandals at the corporation.

In a previous statement, Mills confirmed the police investigation related to him, but stressed that the case was closed years ago with no arrest or charge. He thanked former colleagues, fans and listeners for their kindness, saying he greatly misses them.

The BBC has said it acted “decisively” after receiving new information and added that it is reviewing what was known internally at the time of the original investigation.