The BBC received unspecified allegations about Radio DJ Scott Mills “messaging someone inappropriately” last year, but did not ask further questions, a journalist has said.
Former presenter Anna Brees told The Telegraph she got in touch with the BBC in May 2025 to say she had received information about alleged “inappropriate communications” involving Mills.
The incident is not related to allegations of “serious sexual offences” against a teenage boy that Mills, 53, was investigated for in 2016.
Brees said: “Someone who knew I used to work for the BBC volunteered some information about Scott Mills messaging someone inappropriately.
“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.”
The BBC apologised on Tuesday for its lack of action, confirming that it received a press enquiry in 2025 that “included limited information”.
“This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions,” a spokesperson for the BBC said in a statement shared with ITV News.
“We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.”
Mills was reportedly sacked from his BBC Radio 2 job on Monday over allegations relating to “personal conduct”.
The Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday that Mills was investigated in 2016 in relation to alleged “serious sexual offences against a teenage boy”, telling ITV News the victim was under 16.
The specific age of the victim cannot be given due to the risk of jigsaw identification, the police said.
Mills has not publicly commented on the allegations and was last on air on Tuesday last week.
“In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force,” the police said in a statement.
“The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to taken place between 1997 and 2000.
“As part of these enquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.
“A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.”
In an internal note on Monday morning, Lorna Clarke, director of music at the BBC informed staff that Mills had left the broadcaster.
“I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock,” Clarke said.
“Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.
“Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to.
“While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.”
Mills had been working on the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show since taking over from Zoe Ball in January 2025.
He began his BBC career on Radio 1 in the late 1990s as the early breakfast host, before going on to present weekend slots and then an early evening show while providing maternity cover for Sara Cox. When Cox did not return, the programme was renamed The Scott Mills Show.
In 2022, Mills joined Radio 2, replacing Steve Wright in his weekday afternoon slot.
Mills was dropped by child cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK, where he was a patron, after news of his dismissal broke.
“Neuroblastoma UK have taken the decision to part ways with Scott Mills, and he is no longer a patron of our charity,” the organisation said in a statement.
“We have communicated this decision to Scott and his team, and would like to thank him for his support to date.”
Mills is also an ambassador of the MS Society, which said there would be no change in his position at this stage.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
