SCOTT Mills has broken his silence for the first time since being sensationally axed over allegations surrounding his “personal conduct”.
Issuing a statement, the former Radio 2 host confirmed he was quizzed by cops in 2018 following an allegation of a “historic sexual offence”.
The case – said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000 – was later dropped in full due to a lack of evidence.
But Mills was only sacked this week after “new information” came to light, the broadcaster said.
And speaking out for the first time since his sacking, Mills said he had “fully cooperated” with police when questioned in 2018.
The ex-face of the flagship Breakfast show said he has been subject to “rumour and speculation” since the BBC announced his axing.
The former Radio 2 host confirmed evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, but the threshold to bring charges was not met.
Mills added that the allegation dated back nearly three decades and the police probe had been fully closed seven years ago.
He thanked his former colleagues and “beloved listeners” for messages of kindness in the days following his sensational sacking.
Mills said he would not be making any further comment on the matter.
It comes after we revealed Mills was allowed to keep his job for almost a decade, despite the BBC being made aware in 2017 of an ongoing probe.
This related to allegations of sexual offences against a boy under 16.
And the BBC has since admitted it knew about the investigation into the Radio 2 host for nine years – but let him keep his job until this week.
Broadcasters and MPs have demanded answers over the latest of multiple scandals to rock the corporation in recent years
It was only after a complaint was made regarding the police probe that Beeb bosses gave Mills the boot.
Mills’ £360,000 a year contract was terminated within five days of the complaint being made.
In a statement today, a BBC spokesperson said: “Scott Mills had a long career across the BBC, he was hugely popular and we know the news this week has come as a shock and surprise to many.
KEY MOMENTS IN COPS’ INVESTIGATION
1997 – 2000: The alleged incidents take place, with Mills joining BBC Radio 1 in 1998.
DECEMBER 2016: The Metropolitan Police start looking into claims regarding Mills.
2017: The BBC are made aware
JULY 2018: Mills is questioned under caution by police about historical serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. He tells the BBC about the investigation and denies the allegation.
MAY 2019: The investigation ends as the CPS decide there is not enough evidence to charge.
OCTOBER 2022: He joins BBC Radio 2, taking over the afternoon slot from Steve Wright.
JANUARY 2025: Mills takes over as new Radio 2 Breakfast Show host after Zoe Ball stepped down — calling the role his “dream job”.
MARCH 24 2026: He signs off “See you tomorrow,” in his slot only to be taken off air the following day.
MARCH 25 2026: An investigation begins at BBC into the 2016 complaint.
MARCH 30 2026: The BBC announce Mills is sacked and no longer works for the BBC.
MARCH 31 2026: Metropolitan Police confirm the boy at the centre of the investigation was under 16 at time of the alleged offences.
APRIL 1 2026: The Sun reveals that the BBC was aware of the investigation in 2018 after Mills told them about it and denied the allegations.
“We also recognise there’s been much speculation in the media and online since Monday.
“We hope people understand that there is a limit to what we can say because we have to be mindful of the rights of those involved.
“What we can confirm is that in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him.
“As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values and terminated his contracts on Friday 27 March.”
The spokesperson added: “Separately, we can confirm the BBC was made aware in 2017 of the existence of an ongoing police investigation, which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge being made.
“We are doing more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time.”
The statement concluded that the BBC has made “a significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards”.
The BBC has since apologised for not taking action on a separate allegation against Mills that was raised last year.
Insiders claim the BBC moved swiftly over Mills following criticism they were slow to act over shamed newsreader Huw Edwards.
Discussing the cases yesterday, Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine compared the treatment of the two BBC presenters.
Vine said: “There is a thought here they decided to treat Scott how they wish they’d treated Huw. Which would be a bit unfair would it not?
“Regarding the inconsistency here, we were told Huw Edwards couldn’t be sacked because he was in a fragile mental state.
“Everything I have read about Scott’s history today goes back to his own anxiety and depression and everything else…
“But there doesn’t seem to be the same break cut for him.”
Mills joined Radio 1 in 1998, with allegations about him first reported to Hampshire Police by a third party in 2016.
The force logged the details and later passed on information to the Met’s Operation Winter Key.
In December 2016 Winter Key cops launched an investigation.
At that time, Mills was the Drivetime DJ for Radio 1 and hosted the Official Chart Show, which has a target age range of 15-plus.
Mills was interviewed under caution in July 2018 and denied the claims against him.
In March that year, The Sun on Sunday revealed how an investigation was being carried out into an unnamed radio presenter.
A file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which ruled there was insufficient evidence to charge.
The investigation was later closed in May 2019.
BBC bosses, including Ben Cooper, the then-controller of Radio 1 and 1Xtra, chose not to take Mills off air despite the investigation.
