The BBC knew of a complaint against Scott Mills last year but did not investigate.
The broadcaster was contacted by a woman in May 2025 to say she had been given information about alleged "inappropriate communications" involving the Radio 2 DJ.
She asked whether the broadcaster was "ever aware of or involved in any related matters".
Freelance journalist Anna Brees also asked the corporation if it had ever received any “formal or informal complaints” about Mr Mills “relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment” and whether it had ever conducted an internal investigation into him.
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Ms Brees told The Telegraph she did not get a response from the BBC.
Now, the BBC has admitted her information "should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions".
A BBC spokesman said: "We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen."
GB News has contacted Mr Mills' talent agency for comment.
Scott Mills was fired from the BBC
|GETTY
There is no suggestion the enquiries by Ms Brees related to the same alleged victim whose complaint to the police led to Mr Mills being questioned under caution in 2018.
Ms 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."
In a statement, the BBC said: “We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information. This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.
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Mr Mills took over from Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 last year | BBC"More broadly, we would always urge anyone who has concerns or information to raise it with us."
Mr Mills was questioned by police over separate allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy under 16 in 2018, but the case was dropped by officers.
The claims relate to when Mr Mills was working at 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 probe.
Police said a man, who was in his 40s 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.
The BBC has come under fire for recent scandals
| GETTYMr Mills was not charged with a criminal offence and the case was closed due to insufficient evidence.
The Metropolitan Police does not identify people who are subject to an investigation before any charges are brought.
A spokesman 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.
“As part of these inquiries, 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.”
The Met confirmed the boy was under the age of 16.
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