Scott Mills hit by fresh blow as Celebrity Bake Off episode scrapped
Scott Mills. (BBC)
A planned celebrity special episode of The Great British Bake Off featuring Scott Mills has been scrapped, Channel 4 has confirmed.
Mills was fired from the BBC last month over allegations of serious sexual offences between 1997 and 2000. The former BBC Radio 2 presenter released a statement last week, saying he had “fully cooperated” with an Metropolitan Police investigation of the allegations in 2018. He was never charged and the police investigation was closed.
The television personality was due to appear in an episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer, which was already filmed, with singer Rag’n’Bone Man, fellow radio DJ Edith Bowman and JLS member Aston Merrygold.
However, Channel 4 has said (via BBC News) that it had “carefully considered the circumstances” and subsequently “taken the decision not to air” his episode.
A statement continued: “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.”
The broadcaster confirmed that a different episode of the show would air instead.
Scott Mills’ statement
On 2 April, Scott Mills released a statement regarding his exit from the BBC and the media reports about the allegations.
It 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 history 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.
“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.”
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