Scott Mills has been dismissed by the BBC following an allegation concerning his personal conduct, and the ripple effect is already being felt.
It was officially announced on Monday that the 53-year-old broadcaster was removed from his breakfast show.
Sources indicate that Mr Mills received notification over the weekend that his contract had been terminated.
The corporation issued a statement confirming his departure: "While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC."
Scott Mills was dismissed by the BBC
| PAStaff at the station are allegedly "shell-shocked" by the sudden announcement.
EastEnders’ New Year’s Day 2026 episode, which features a flash-forward set in 2027, included a cameo appearance from Mr Mills delivering a birthday message to Max Branning from his son Oscar via his BBC breakfast show.
A source told The Sun: "It won’t have a huge impact on the episode, even if he was set to reprise his role again.
"Bosses were clear that on New Year’s Day 2027, you’ll see everything that happened in the episode from a different perspective, so it wouldn’t be a big loss for him not to feature again."
Mr Mills took over from Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 last year
|PA
EastEnders boss Ben Wadey had previously said that the flash-forward format was designed with flexibility in mind, allowing storylines to adapt in the event of unforeseen cast changes.
Mr Mills had taken the reins of the flagship breakfast programme from Zoe Ball in January 2025, after she stepped down to dedicate more time to her family.
At the time, he said: "Zoe and I have been such good friends now for over 25 years. We have spent much of that time as part of the same radio family here at Radio 2 and also on Radio 1.
"She's done an incredible job on this show over the past six years, and I am beyond excited to be handed the baton."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Scott Mills was in the flash forward Eastenders episode that was shown at New Year and is continued this year
|BBC
The Hampshire-born presenter first joined the BBC in 1998 as an early breakfast host on Radio 1, where he would go on to present The Scott Mills Show for 24 years before transitioning to Radio 2 in October 2022.
Lorna Clarke, the BBC's Director of Music, addressed colleagues directly about the departure.
"I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC," she wrote.
"I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock."
In 2024, Mr Mills and his husband triumphed on Celebrity Race Across the World
|BBC
Ms Clarke acknowledged the presenter's extensive history with the organisation, noting that many staff members had collaborated with him across numerous programmes spanning Radio 1, 5 Live, Radio 2 and television over the years.
She added that listeners would also find the news difficult, promising to share details about the show's future when possible, whilst declining to comment further.
Beyond his radio work, Mr Mills served as a UK commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals.
He was also recently unveiled as one of the hosts for Race Across The World’s spin-off show, The Detour.
The presenter had been at the BBC since 1998
| GETTYMr Mills competed on series 12 of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, partnered with Joanne Clifton, reaching week six before elimination.
In 2024, he and his husband, Sam Vaughan, triumphed on Celebrity Race Across the World.
The couple, who married in Spain that summer, had been together since meeting at an event in 2016 where Mr Mills was DJing.