Channel 4 cancels Bake Off special featuring Scott Mills after axe from BBC: 'Not appropriate'

Lydia Davies
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:52:20 +0000

Channel 4 has confirmed it will not broadcast the Celebrity Great British Bake Off episode featuring Scott Mills, following the presenter's dismissal from the BBC.

The broadcaster announced on Wednesday morning that the final instalment of the 2026 Stand Up to Cancer series would be replaced with an alternative programme.

A Channel 4 spokesperson stated: "Having carefully considered the circumstances, we've taken the decision not to air the final episode of the 2026 series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer, featuring Scott Mills."

They added: "Acknowledging the seriousness of the accusations that have been made against Scott, we don't believe it would be appropriate to air the episode at this time."

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

The episode had been scheduled to air on April 18.

Mr Mills, 53, had his contract terminated by the BBC in March over allegations concerning his personal conduct.

The corporation subsequently revealed it had acted after receiving "new information" in the weeks preceding his departure.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the presenter had been the subject of an investigation in 2016 relating to allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy under the age of 16.

No charges were brought at the time, with the Crown Prosecution Service determining that the evidential threshold had not been met.

Mr Mills was questioned by officers in 2018, and a complete file of evidence was submitted to prosecutors.

The BBC has acknowledged it was aware of the police investigation in 2017, yet kept the radio personality on air until the recent emergence of fresh information prompted his dismissal. It is not known what role, if any, the investigation played in Mr Mills' sacking.

Mr Mills has since responded to the coverage through his legal representative.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Ben Leo fumes at Trump critics over 'insane' reaction to Iran ceasefire: 'They call him chicken!'

Brooklyn Beckham dealt further wedding humiliation after father David slip-up as fresh claims emerge

Katie Price banned from driving for the SEVENTH time after TV star failed to respond to warning

In a statement issued by his lawyer, he said: “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 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."

His statement concluded: "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.”

The axed episode featured Mr Mills alongside singer Rag'n'Bone Man, broadcaster Edith Bowman, and JLS star Aston Merrygold.

Other contestants scheduled to appear include American singer JoJo Siwa, Love Island's Molly-Mae Hague, television personality Vicky Pattison, and comedian Joe Wilkinson.

The Celebrity Great British Bake Off format differs from the main series by featuring four new contestants in each episode, meaning Channel 4 can substitute individual instalments rather than scrapping an entire run.

Mr Mills had also been due to present a Race Across the World spin-off for the BBC, from which he has now been removed.

His career at the corporation spanned nearly three decades, during which time he became one of its highest-paid presenters, hosting the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, earning between £355,000 and £359,999 annually.