Scott Mills' husband, Sam Vaughan, has seemingly offered a subtle critique of the BBC by sharing a photo of himself listening to Heart FM as Sara Cox debuted as the new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. The presenter, 51, took over the coveted morning slot on July 6, 2026, following the dismissal of Mills.
Mills was removed from his position after allegations of serious sexual offenses against a teenage boy under 16 surfaced. Vaughan, 37, posted the image on Instagram showing his dog, Teddy, in their living room with the Heart FM logo visible on a television screen. The post was noted for its timing, given that Cox, a longtime friend and colleague of Mills, was making her debut on BBC Radio 2.
Sara Cox and Scott Mills have been friends and colleagues at the BBC for approximately three decades, having started at Radio 1 within a year of each other in the late 1990s. Cox was a guest at Mills and Vaughan's wedding in 2024.
Cox kicked off her first broadcast with a segment featuring Hollywood actor Tom Hanks and played Lizzo's "About Damn Time" as her opening track. She told listeners, "It is a Monday and my first show, with your favourite DJ, me. Feeling a little bit clingy as per. I want some love."
Mills, 53, has not publicly commented on Cox replacing him. However, the BBC announced in April that Cox would take over the Breakfast Show. Police questioned Mills under caution in 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case in 2019 due to insufficient evidence. The BBC has acknowledged awareness of the allegations since 2017.
In May, reports indicated that Mills is suing the BBC for unfair dismissal. His legal team is reportedly engaged in correspondence with the corporation, where Mills worked for 28 years. Sources close to Mills suggest he feels he was made a "scapegoat" by the BBC to demonstrate a zero-tolerance approach following other scandals involving prominent BBC figures. These friends claim Mills is devastated and furious, feeling wronged by the dismissal over a police investigation that was closed years ago. They assert his legal team is determined to seek justice and clear his name, stating that the decision has significantly impacted his mental health.