Channel 4 has announced that a scheduled episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer will be pulled from the broadcast schedule. The episode, which features DJ Scott Mills, was slated to air on Sunday, April 19, but will now be replaced by an alternative celebrity special.
The decision comes in the wake of a professional collapse for the 53-year-old presenter, who was sacked as the host of the BBC Radio 2 breakfast show last month. The broadcaster terminated Mills’ contract in March, citing “new information” regarding his conduct and a commitment to the corporation’s “culture and values.”
The removal of the Great British Bake Off episode with Scott Mills will not be broadcast as part of a broader trend of organizations distancing themselves from the presenter following the emergence of historical allegations. Mills had already completed filming for the celebrity edition, where he was set to compete alongside DJ Edith Bowman, singer Rag’n’Bone Man and JLS member Aston Merrygold.
Channel 4 cites ‘seriousness of accusations’
In a formal statement, Channel 4 explained that the decision to scrap the broadcast was made after a careful review of the current circumstances. The broadcaster emphasized that the nature of the claims made against Mills made his appearance on the program untenable.
“Having carefully considered the circumstances, we’ve taken the decision not to air the final episode of the 2026 series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer, featuring Scott Mills,” the network said. “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 current celebrity series, which began airing on March 22, has featured a diverse roster of stars including JoJo Siwa, Molly-Mae Hague, and Vicky Pattison. Whereas the episode featuring Mills is being shelved, Channel 4 confirmed that an alternative episode of the celebrity competition will be broadcast in its place to ensure the fundraising efforts for Stand Up To Cancer continue uninterrupted.
A timeline of allegations and BBC termination
The controversy centers on a police inquiry that began in 2016. The investigation concerned allegations of serious sexual offences against a boy under the age of 16, with the offences allegedly occurring between 1997 and 2000 when Mills was in his 20s. The original complaint was filed in Hampshire, Mills’ native county.
While Mills was interviewed under caution in 2018, the legal proceedings did not result in a trial. In 2019, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) closed the investigation, concluding there was insufficient evidence to bring formal charges.
The BBC has faced scrutiny over its own handling of the matter. The corporation admitted it became aware of the police investigation as early as 2017 but allowed Mills to continue in his high-profile role for several years. However, the BBC stated it “acted decisively” in March 2026 after receiving new information that prompted the immediate termination of his contract.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1997–2000 | Period during which alleged offences took place. |
| 2016 | Police inquiry into historical allegations begins. |
| 2017 | BBC becomes aware of the police investigation. |
| 2018 | Mills is interviewed under caution by police. |
| 2019 | CPS closes investigation due to insufficient evidence. |
| 2026 (March) | BBC terminates Mills’ contract following “new information.” |
Broader professional fallout
The repercussions of the “new information” have extended beyond the BBC and Channel 4. Mills has seen a rapid erosion of his philanthropic and media partnerships.
The children’s cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK, where Mills had served as a patron since 2021, announced it has decided to “part ways” with the presenter. Mills has stepped down from his role as an ambassador for MS Society UK. His media footprint has further shrunk with his removal as the host of the BBC’s new Race Across The World spin-off podcast.
In a statement released last week, Mills defended his record and requested privacy, noting that he had fully cooperated with the authorities during the initial inquiry.
“An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018,” Mills said. “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.”
Mills added that as the investigation related to an allegation from nearly 30 years ago and was closed seven years ago, he hoped the public and media would respect his wish to avoid further public comment.
The next confirmed update regarding the broadcast schedule will occur on Sunday, April 19, when Channel 4 airs the replacement episode for the celebrity baking series.
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