The BBC has revealed Scott Mills’ replacement on its Race Across the World podcast after the presenter was sacked by the corporation.
Former Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Mills, 53, had been due to present Race Across the World: Detour alongside Alfie Watts, who won last year’s regular series, but was dropped after the corporation abruptly terminated his contract earlier this week.
It’s been reported that BBC bosses discovered an alleged victim in a 2016 police investigation into the presenter was under the age of 16. The police investigation was closed without charges being brought in 2018.
The BBC announced on Thursday (2 April) that Tyler West would be taking over as host of Race Across the World: Detour.
West took part in last year’s Celebrity Race Across The World with his fiancée, fellow Strictly Come Dancing star Molly Rainford, while Mills won the show in 2024 with his husband, Sam Vaughan.
With Race Across the World returning at 8pm on Thursday, bosses faced a tight turnaround to find a replacement host.
The spin-off is being billed by the BBC as the “wilder sibling” of its hugely successful travel competition show and each week, guests will stop by to chart the ups and downs of the main programme.
The inaugural episode will arrive on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds as soon as the TV show finishes – and it’ll be a family affair.
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West will be joined by his fiancée Rainford, and Ted Lasso actor Kola Bokinni – who took part in the same Race Across the World series as Mills – with his actor sister, Yinka Bokinni.
Watts, who has carved out a career as a travel influencer since winning the civilian series, will share his travel hacks and tips.
News of Mills’ replacement on Detour comes as bosses at the BBC face a scramble to backfill the multiple roles left vacant by his sacking.
On Radio 2, Gary Davies has been serving as a temporary breakfast show stand-in but a number of big names are thought to be on the shortlist to land the job permanently, including the likes of Vernon Kay and Clara Amfo.
Meanwhile, Mills’ Eurovision presenting duties are reportedly set to be handed over to Sara Cox and the future of the Pop Top 10 podcast – which the sacked star co-hosted with Rylan Clark – remains unclear.
Mills released a statement confirming the historic police investigation on Wednesday (1 April) evening. He added: “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.”
