Scott Mills dealt another blow as he 'loses £190k panto role' following BBC axe

Olivia Gantzer
Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:12:49 +0000

Scott Mills will be absent from this year's Christmas pantomime season, with production company Imagine Theatre confirming the 53-year-old was already being overlooked before his dismissal from the BBC over a historical allegation of sexual offences.

"There were no plans to work with him this year," a source told The Sun. "This decision was taken prior to this news."

The former Radio 2 presenter had established himself as a popular fixture in family entertainment through his portrayal of Mayor Mills in Jack And The Beanstalk.

An industry insider revealed that Mills had been discussing a potential break from pantomime with Imagine Theatre, despite frequently expressing his fondness for the theatrical tradition.

The role reportedly brought Mr Mills approximately £190,000 annually over a three-year period as he entertained audiences across the country.

"The panto world is really small, and everyone knows everyone," a second industry source explained to the publication.

"As soon as the news broke about Scott, it was all anyone was talking about, especially given he's been so popular since his debut in 2023."

The source added that while Mr Mills would typically have attracted interest from rival production companies, the current circumstances have left him isolated within the industry.

"Normally he would have been courted by other production companies but in light of developments, no one wants to go near him," the insider said.

The pantomime setback represents just one element of Mr Mills' rapidly unravelling career.

Organisers of Ibiza Symphonica have removed him from their August event at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, criticising his management team for a lack of communication since the scandal emerged.

Arsenal have also erased all references to Mr Mills from their website, where he had been scheduled to perform DJ sets at Boyzone's Emirates Stadium concerts in June.

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Channel 4 has pulled his appearance on The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer, which had been due to broadcast on April 19.

The BBC has additionally taken down a commemorative plaque from the Radio 1 studio in London, where studio 82A had been renamed 82 Mills following his departure in 2022.

Mr Mills was dismissed by the BBC following an investigation into his personal conduct.

The sacking came seven years after police had examined allegations of sexual offences involving a boy aged under 16, though that inquiry was subsequently closed without charges.

During his time at the corporation, Mills earned between £355,000 and £359,999 annually.

He spent over two decades at Radio 1 from 1998 until 2022, when he transferred to Radio 2.

Speaking earlier this month, Mr Mills broke his silence in a statement that read: "The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation.

"In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me.

"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 cooperated and responded to in 2018.

"As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.

"Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed 7 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.

"I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss."

In 2025, he assumed the prestigious Radio 2 breakfast show role, taking over from Zoe Ball.

The BBC has yet to announce who will permanently replace him as host of the flagship morning programme.