BBC says Scott Mills axed from Eurovision Song Contest protection after sacking as Sara Cox ‘to replace’ him

Scott Mills will no longer commentate during the Eurovision song contest, after he was sacked from the BBC over his “personal conduct”.

The former BBC Radio 2 presenter has featured in the Eurovision semi-finals since 2011, which airs on BBC One on Tuesday and Thursday in the lead-up to the grand final.

A spokesperson for the broadcaster confirmed Mills is no longer contracted to work on any projects, and said: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”

Since the BBC confirmed that Mills would not be hosting Eurovision, The Sun has reported that Sara Cox is set to replace him. The BBC declined to comment.

Cox commentated on the Eurovision semi finals on BBC Radio 2 last year alongside Richie Anderson. The BBC is yet to confirm the official presenting line-up on either BBC One or BBC Radio 2 for 2026.

The 53-year-old DJ was abruptly taken off air last week and was sacked over the weekend.

It has since emerged that he was questioned by police over allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy in 2018, but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.

The claims relate to when Mills was working at BBC Radio 1, and it is not known if the BBC was told of the investigation at the time. It is not clear if his sacking is related to the police investigation.

The Metropolitan Police said a man, who was in his forties at the time of the interview, was investigated in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences that took place between 1997 and 2000.

He was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

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Mills was not charged with a criminal offence and the case was closed due to lack of evidence.

A spokesperson said: “In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.

“The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

Scott Mills, right, meets the King with other presenters of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool (PA)

“As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his forties 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.”

News of the DJ’s sacking led Monday’s noon bulletin on his former station, BBC Radio 2, and the broadcaster issued a news alert on Tuesday reporting the closed police investigation.

In an email sent to staff on Monday, Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s director of music, wrote: “I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the breakfast show, and the BBC.

“I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock. 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 that many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.”