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Scott Mills’ BBC Radio 2 replacement could be a wildcard, according to reports.
The DJ, 53, was sacked last month after 27 years with the corporation – and it has since been revealed he was investigated then cleared over allegations of ‘serious sexual offences’ against a boy under the age of 16 between 1997 and 2000.
While DJ Gary Davies has been standing in for Scott on the breakfast show, the broadcaster is said to be working tirelessly behind-the-scenes to find a long term replacement.
Amongst the names being touted are Rylan Clark and OJ Borg after frontrunner Vernon Kay, Claudia Winkleman and Sara Cox ‘have ruled themselves out’.
OJ, whose real name is Oliver James Borg, hosts a live overnight show from midnight to 3am every weekday. He is said to be ‘wildcard’ amongst bosses.
A source told The Sun: ‘Bosses are most likely to pick a wildcard. They want to choose someone who’s not the biggest name, but is well liked at the station.
‘OJ is someone who has proven he can do the job. He ticks all the right boxes and could be the perfect fit – even though he’s not one of the top stars vying for the job, picking him may feel like a surprise choice, but it would be a clean slate for the breakfast show.’
‘Vernon Kay is a household name at the BBC, but has ruled himself out from taking over the breakfast show. Meanwhile, with Greg James, he is Radio One’s biggest star and it would be too big a risk to move him onto Radio Two’s breakfast show right now.’
The insiders claimed the BBC wanted Greg to stay on Radio 1 after the ‘shock of Scott’s departure’.
They added Sara, who presented BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast Show for three years, has ‘no interest’, while Claudia is far too in demand following her success with The Traitors.
Potential hosts are also said to be wary of showing they are too keen to avoid ‘vulture circling’.
A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: ‘Further news on a permanent replacement will follow in due course.’
Vernon, the former host of ITV’s Family Fortunes, was the early bookies’ favourite on William Hill with odds of 6/4 to replace Scott, who was the BBC’s 11th highest-paid star last year.
The 51-year-old would be an in-house appointment for the broadcaster, which he has worked for since 2023 as host of the mid-morning show on Radio 2.
Vernon sat just above veteran DJ Gary (5/2) in the bookmakers’ odds list after the 68-year-old stepped in to cover the breakfast show.
Also in the running are Radio 2 overnight presenter OJ (11/4), Saturday radio host Rylan (7/2), Clara Amfo (4/1) and Tony Blackburn (6/1).
While Claudia, presenter of BAFTA award-winning show The Traitors, os an outsider at 8/1 along with comedian Joe Wilkinson (10/1) and Alex Horne (20/1).
Scott was sacked in March after 27 years with the corporation. The BBC admitted it was aware of the investigation back in 2017 – before sacking the DJ following new information.
Hampshire Police said the sexual offences allegations were first reported by a third party in 2016 and that the force logged the details and passed on information to the Metropolitan Police for investigation.
The Met confirmed they questioned Scott over the accusations when reported to them that year, but the Crown Prosecution Service found there was not enough evidence and closed the case in 2019.
Scott released an emotional statement earlier this month where he admitted he was investigated by police over sex offences and thanked colleagues and listeners for their ‘kindness’ following his 27-year career with the corporation.
He said in his statement: ‘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,’ he said.
‘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 historic 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.’
