Dermot O’Leary has spoken out about Scott Mills’ recent sacking from the BBC, revealing that the news came as a “complete shock” to the entire BBC Radio 2 family. The 52-year-old presenter shared his thoughts on This Morning alongside Alison Hammond, expressing his disbelief at the sudden dismissal of the popular Radio 2 star.
Mills, 53, was fired by the BBC on Monday, March 30, over “personal conduct” issues. The news came shortly after reports surfaced about a 2016 police investigation into “serious sexual offences” involving a teenage boy between 1997 and 2000. Although the investigation was dropped in 2019 due to lack of evidence, the BBC’s decision to dismiss Mills has sent shockwaves through the network.
Dermot, who has been with BBC Radio 2 since 2004, spoke candidly on the show, saying, “As part of the Radio 2 family – and it is a family, everyone gets together, it’s a lovely place to work, it’s very collegiate – this came as a complete shock to everybody. It came from nowhere.”
Despite having been taken off air last week, Mills hosted his final Radio 2 breakfast show on Tuesday, March 28, signing off at 9:30 a.m. with the words “Back tomorrow.” Shortly after, an email from Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s Director of Music, confirmed his sacking, leaving his team blindsided. A source told The Daily Mail, “Mills’ team only found out the same way everyone else did, so you can imagine the shock they experienced.”
In the wake of his dismissal, Dermot O’Leary, fellow Radio 2 stars, and BBC staff have been left stunned. Jeremy Vine, who also works at Radio 2, described the situation as “a very painful episode for anyone who knows Scott” and expressed his disbelief on his own show, saying, “Scott Mills’ sacking has left a lot of people very confused.”
While the BBC has not disclosed further details, the timing of Mills’ dismissal, following a meeting with BBC bosses, has raised many questions. Radio 2 listeners are also puzzled, and Mills’ absence from the station’s flagship breakfast show is already being felt.
As the fallout continues, Radio 2 veteran Gary Davies has stepped in to host the show, with no permanent replacement yet confirmed. Meanwhile, Mills’ colleagues and friends are left processing the sudden and shocking news.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
