Tina Daheley, Scott Mills' co-presenter on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, has spoken publicly for the first time since his sudden dismissal from the corporation.
The 44-year-old newsreader took to Instagram on Wednesday morning, sharing a photograph of herself in bed with a cup of tea.
"Good morning! Just about recovered from this awful cold/flu I've had for the past week (being parent to primary school aged child is like having a subscription service to viruses!)," she wrote.
Ms Daheley went on to acknowledge the headlines surrounding the programme, adding: "Good news is I'm over the worst of it and looking forward to spending 2 weeks with my family over the Easter hols from tomorrow after what's been an incredibly difficult past week." (sic)
Tina Daheley has branded the past week 'incredibly difficult'
|She is the first of Mr Mills' Breakfast Show colleagues to address the situation publicly.
Ms Daheley had been absent from the airwaves since Mr Mills was removed from the programme, reportedly prompting speculation about her whereabouts among colleagues.
Prior to Wednesday's post, Ms Daheley had maintained complete silence on social media, mirroring Mr Mills' own absence from public view.
Mr Mills was dismissed by the BBC on Monday, March 30, following what the corporation described as matters relating to his "personal conduct."
Scott Mills was axed over allegations against his personal conduct, the BBC said on Monday | BBCThe sacking came days after he was taken off air, with his final broadcast on March 24 ending with the words "see you tomorrow".
Following his dismissal, The Mirror reported that Mr Mills was questioned as part of a 2016 Metropolitan Police investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16.
The Met Police went on to confirm these alleged offences are said to have occurred between 1997 and 2000.
Mr Mills was interviewed under caution by officers in July 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service determined there was insufficient evidence to bring charges, and the case was closed in May 2019.
LATEST SCOTT MILLS DEVELOPMENTS:
Tina Daheley has worked at the BBC for years
|BBC
Following reports that the investigation played a role in Mr Mills' sacking, the BBC issued a statement on Wednesday to clarify the circumstances behind the decision.
A BBC spokesperson said: "Scott Mills had a long career across the BBC, he was hugely popular and we know the news this week has come as a shock and surprise to many.
“We also recognise there’s been much speculation in the media and online since Monday. We hope people understand that there is a limit to what we can say because we have to be mindful of the rights of those involved.
“What we can confirm is that in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him.
"As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values and terminated his contracts on Friday, March 27.
“The BBC has made a significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards.
"Last year, following an independent culture review, we set out the behavioural expectations for everyone who works with or for the BBC and we were clear action would be taken if these were not met.
“Separately, we can confirm the BBC was made aware in 2017 of the existence of an ongoing police investigation, which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge being made.
Tina Daheley is a regular voice on Radio 2
|"We are doing more work to understand the details of what was known by the BBC at this time," the statement signed off.
Ms Daheley has confirmed she will return to the airwaves on Tuesday, April 21, following the Easter break.
The broadcaster has been a fixture at the BBC since joining the corporation in 2007. She made the move to Radio 2 in January 2019, taking up the newsreader position on the Breakfast Show alongside Zoe Ball.
When Mr Mills assumed the presenting role from Ms Ball in January 2025, Ms Daheley remained with the programme.
Scott Mills took over from Zoe Ball in the Radio 2 breakfast slot last January | PABeyond reading the morning news bulletins, she developed a close working relationship with Mr Mills, regularly joining discussions on topical issues and engaging in on-air banter.
She has also served as a relief presenter on the Jeremy Vine programme. Gary Davies has been standing in on the Breakfast Show since Mr Mills' removal from the schedule.
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