The 53-year-old was taken off air by the BBC last week
The 53-year-old was taken off air by the BBC last week
The BBC has announced the replacement of the Race Across The World: The Detour podcast after former host Scott Mills was sacked by the broadcasting company following an allegation relating to his personal conduct.
The 53-year-old was taken off air by the BBC last week after the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the radio host in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000. However, the police investigation was closed in 2019 after prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.
The Radio 2 DJ was set to host the podcast following his win in the most recent celebrity version of Race Across The World with his husband Sam Vaughan which will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
The Mirror reports that BBC bosses were left with “no choice” after new information came out. While the new information involves the same person, it is different to the claims made during that investigation which centred on allegations of serious sexual offences.
It was revealed that Mills had been questioned by police in 2018 over allegations involving the unnamed teenager, but it has since been confirmed the boy was under 16. A full file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service case who decided there was a lack of evidence to press charges.
The replacement for the BBC podcast will be Kiss FM breakfast host will be Tyler West who competed in the same series of Celebrity Race Across The World as Mills, will now take over the role. The podcast will also feature series four winner Alfie Watts, sharing his top travel tips and hacks.
Race Across the Word series 6 is set to air today April 2 where the five teams will compete for a cash prize after journeying through the largest continental area on earth. The podcast will be available shortly after the first episode of the show airs tonight.
Guests for the podcast will include travel influencers, comedians and celebrity fans of the show, such as West’s partner and actress Molly Rainford, with whom he competed on the celebrity version of the show and will also feature series four winner Alfie Watts, sharing his top travel tips and hacks.
When speaking on Mills dismissal from the BBC, Lorna Clarke, director of music, said in a statement to staff: “I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC.
“I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.”
She added: “Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to. While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.” The Mirror reported.
The Mirror first reported the story of Scott Mills on Monday later saying that police had previously launched an investigation into him.
The Met 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 reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.
“As part of these enquiries 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, the investigation was closed in May 2019.”
This information comes after The Telegraph reported on Tuesday March 31, that the BBC had previously been informed about allegations regarding Mills almost a year ago but had failed to investigate them.
The newspaper claimed a freelance reporter had contacted the corporation in May of 2025 regarding alleged ‘inappropriate communications’.
Race Across The World: The Detour will be available weekly on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds from Thursday April 2, straight after the TV episode airs.
