EXCLUSIVE: The BBC is pushing on with a Race Across the World spin-off despite the fact it was due to be hosted by top Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills.
We understand Race Across The World: The Detour, a video podcast from The Traitors producer Studio Lambert that only got announced a fortnight ago, will definitely go ahead without Mills. His replacement will be unveiled in due course via a BBC announcement, Deadline is told. We have reached out to the BBC for comment.
Mills, who hosted the popular Radio 2 Breakfast Show, was sacked by the BBC over the weekend. It has since emerged that he was questioned in 2018 over allegations of serious and historic sexual offences against a teenage boy in the late 1990s. The case was closed due to lack of evidence. The BBC is not commenting on the reasons behind his departure beyond saying his contract has been “terminated.”
Mills won Celebrity Race Across the World in 2024 with his husband Sam Vaughan. Race Across The World: The Detour is a companion vodcast, similar to The Traitors: Uncloaked, which Mills was due to host while Season 4 winner Alfie Watts shares top travel tips and hacks with guests. A new presenter will now be required. The BBC could draw on one of the many participants from previous celebrity versions.
Featuring duos racing across an area of the world on a shoestring budget using any means of transportation other than air travel, Race Across the World and its celebrity companion is one of the BBC’s most popular entertainment shows. The Detour vodcast was announced on a BBC vodcast slate on March 12.
The entertainment world has been reeling from the Mills news this week, which came out the blue, blindsiding his colleagues and listeners.
Mills took over from Zoe Ball presenting one of the BBC’s most popular shows, the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, last year. The 53-year-old, who was paid almost £360,000 ($476,000) last year, had for nearly 20 years prior presented the Scott Mills Show on BBC Radio 1 and is one of the most familiar voices on BBC radio. His sacking comes after a string of incidents involving current and former BBC stars including Gregg Wallace, Russell Brand and Huw Edwards.
We have contacted Mills’ agent for comment on the allegations.
