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BBC Fires Scott Mills over Under-16 Misconduct, Appoints Sara Cox.

4/23/2026

26 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

BBC Fires Mills

BBC terminated Scott Mills' contract on Friday 27 March for conduct involving a person under 16.
BBC said the termination reflects its cultural and behavioural standards.
Sara Cox will host Radio 2 Breakfast starting summer after presenting Radio 1 from 1999-2014 and Radio 2 Teatime since 2019.
BBC data show the Breakfast Show averages 6.5 million weekly listeners, the UK’s most-listened-to morning programme.

Summary

Cox Replaces Mills

Sara Cox will serve as the BBC’s main commentator for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, replacing Scott Mills.
Scott Mills issued a statement after his dismissal, thanking colleagues and asking the public to respect his wish for no comment.
Mills said the allegation dates back nearly 30 years and that police closed the investigation seven years ago after the Crown Prosecution Service said the evidential threshold was not met.

Summary

Davies Steps In

The BBC installed Gary Davies as interim host of Radio 2 Breakfast after Scott Mills’ final broadcast on March 24, 2026.
Mills’ contract ended in March 2026 after allegations, with the BBC describing the dismissal as abrupt.
Sara Cox will move from her long-running Teatime show to the Breakfast slot, leaving Teatime vacant.
BBC said a new Teatime host will be announced later, signalling a wider Radio 2 schedule reshuffle.

Summary

Cox Wins

The BBC learned in 2017 of a 2016 police investigation into Mills for alleged 1997-2000 offences against a teenager under 16 and acted weeks before his March 27 dismissal.
An independent review last year set BBC standards and pledged decisive action.
Sara Cox won the Audio Presenter of the Year award from the Broadcasting Press Guild in March 2026.
Her novels are Thrown (2022), Way Back (2024) and Truth Of Us (July).

History

Historical Context

The BBC's scrutiny intensified after the 2012 Jimmy Savile scandal, which revealed systemic failures in addressing sexual misconduct. Following a police investigation into Scott Mills for alleged offenses from 1997 to 2000, the Crown Prosecution Service found insufficient evidence. In March 2026, Mills was dismissed, highlighting the BBC's commitment to accountability and the ongoing societal demand for transparency in media organizations.

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BBC Fires Mills

BBC terminated Scott Mills' contract on Friday 27 March for conduct involving a person under 16.
BBC said the termination reflects its cultural and behavioural standards.
Sara Cox will host Radio 2 Breakfast starting summer after presenting Radio 1 from 1999-2014 and Radio 2 Teatime since 2019.
BBC data show the Breakfast Show averages 6.5 million weekly listeners, the UK’s most-listened-to morning programme.

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