BBC sacks Scott Mills over personal conduct; Tyler West takes over Race Across the World
BBC sacks Scott Mills over personal conduct; Tyler West takes over Race Across the World
BBC terminates Scott Mills amid personal conduct allegations; Tyler West to host Race Across the World: Detour, reshaping the travel show's lineup.
The BBC has sacked Scott Mills, the long‑time Radio 2 presenter, over ‘personal conduct’ allegations, terminating his contract this week. Mills, 53, had been a familiar voice on the network and a familiar face in its travel programming, and the decision underscores the Corporation’s stance on staff conduct. The BBC said it acted decisively after reviewing the information it had.
In a related move to reshape its travel‑oriented programming, Tyler West was named the replacement host for Race Across the World: Detour. West had been set to co‑host the spin‑off with Alfie Watts before Mills’ dismissal forced a last‑minute shake‑up. West previously appeared on last year’s Celebrity Race Across The World with his fiancée Molly Rainford, and his appointment comes as the main show returns with a new dynamic.
Race Across the World: Detour is billed as the ‘wilder sibling’ of the main series. The first episode with West will air Thursday at 8pm, with the episode made available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds shortly after the TV finish. The spin‑off is designed to chart the ups and downs of the main show while adding guests each week.
The timing of the sacking has drawn attention to a 2016 police investigation into Mills in which an alleged victim was under 16; that investigation was closed without charges in 2018. The BBC emphasised that it was acting on the current allegations and not on past matters. Mills had been due to present Race Across the World: Detour alongside Alfie Watts, but was replaced as the show prepared for its new season.
Beyond the headline, the decision also reflects the BBC’s ongoing effort to balance high‑profile entertainment with clear standards of conduct. Mills had been a prominent figure on radio and television, including his 2024 win on Race Across the World with his husband, Sam Vaughan, while West’s own journey through the Strictly‑connected world adds a new layer of audience appeal to the spin‑off.
