Rylan Clark 'devastated' by Scott Mills' axe after 'close' friendship with former BBC Radio 2 co-star

The pair were also close pals away from the radio, with Mr Clark among the guests at Mr Mills' wedding to husband Sam Vaughan in Barcelona in 2024.

Mr Clark is yet to publicly address his friend's axe, but sources close to both presenters have claimed the This Morning stand-in presenter is finding the ordeal "rough".

"Rylan and Scott are so close," a source told the Daily Mail. "They have done a lot of work together, but see a lot of each other socially, too.

"They always had each other's backs. This will be rough for Rylan," the source noted, before claiming the presenter was "devastated".

GB News has contacted Mr Clark's representatives for comment.

Mr Mills, 53, was terminated from his position as Radio 2 Breakfast Show host on Friday, March 27, after the corporation obtained what it described as "new information" about the presenter.

As first reported by The Mirror, the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into the broadcaster back in 2016, examining allegations of serious sexual offences said to have occurred between 1997 and 2000.

The complainant was a teenage boy who was under 16 at the time of the alleged incidents. Mr Mills was questioned under caution by officers in July 2018.

The Crown Prosecution Service subsequently concluded that the evidential threshold required to proceed with charges had not been met, and the investigation was formally closed in 2019 without any arrest or charges being made.

It has been reported that the young age of the alleged victim constituted the "new information" that prompted the BBC's decision. The BBC is yet to confirm what role, if any, the investigation played in Mr Mills' dismissal.

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In his first public statement since the news emerged, released through his legal representatives, Mr Mills confirmed he was the individual at the centre of the police inquiry.

"An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully co-operated and responded to in 2018," Mr Mills stated.

He noted that prosecutors had determined the evidence did not meet the threshold necessary to bring charges.

"Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter," he added.

Mr Mills expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who had shown him kindness, including former colleagues and listeners whom he said he "greatly missed".

The BBC acknowledged it had been aware of the police investigation since 2017, but maintained it "acted decisively" upon receiving the recent information.

"What we can confirm is that in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him," a BBC spokesperson said.

"As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values."

The corporation has also apologised for failing to follow up on a separate allegation of "inappropriate communications" by Mr Mills that was raised last year.

Mr Mills' colleagues and close friends have been described as "shell-shocked" by the developments, with sources indicating there is considerable concern for his well-being.