Scott Mills’ ultimate test in his relationship to husband Sam Vaughan

Scott Mills said competing in Celebrity Race Across The World with husband Sam Vaughan was the ‘ultimate test of our relationship’.

It was confirmed on Monday the Radio 2 star, 53, has been fired by the BBC following a complaint about his personal conduct. Hours later it was then claimed that the sacking relates to a ‘historic male relationship from more than ten years ago’.

But Scott may now be facing the biggest test in his marriage yet following the sudden sacking from his £355,000-a-year job. 

Scott and producer Sam took part in Celebrity Race Across The World – a BBC show which sees stars participate in a gruelling cross-country expedition – back in 2024. They married just two months after wrapping filming. 

The couple, who have been in a relationship since 2017, said they wanted the competition to ‘make us stronger’ so they could weather any storm. 

Of why he signed up to the show, Scott said: ‘Before we get married, everyone says the holiday test is you know you could be with somebody if you go on holiday with them. 

‘This is like that times a thousand. Not that I have any doubts that Sam is the one for me, but there will be times in this, I imagine, when it will get stressful 

‘And I think I’m expecting it, I don’t know, but I’m expecting it to be big highs and probably big lows. So, if we can get through this, we can get through anything basically. I have no doubt that we will but that’s part of the reason why I wanted to do it. I also really just want to throw my phone away for a bit. I wouldn’t be able to get to do this again.’

Sam added: ‘When Scott and I were first asked to take part in the series, it was kind of a no-brainer, that it’s an opportunity where you can just switch off in the world and see places that you’ve never seen before. 

‘You’ll probably go to places that you wouldn’t choose to go, if you look at a map you probably wouldn’t go “Let’s go here”. 

‘Scott loves his travel magazines so Scott will plan our holidays, he likes to go to new places, but this is probably going somewhere that we will never go to again. And it’s just seeing parts of the world together.

‘Obviously, we get married this year so for us, it’s the year of big challenges: this, marriage. So, it’s just kind of like doing it all at once and getting it all done.

‘Even if we don’t win, and we get to that finish line, at least we’ve got to that finish line together. And the decisions that we’ve made are together. So, I think in the year that we’re getting married, and doing this challenge, it’s just to cement us as a relationship even stronger. Hopefully.’

The pair went on to win the second series after struggling with the language barrier and heat. 

They raced approximately 12,500 km (7,800 miles) across South America, starting in Belém, Brazil, and finishing at the Osorno Volcano in Frutillar, Chile.

Despite starting the final leg in third place, Scott and Sam were the first to reach the finish line. They beat Kola Bokinni and Mary Ellen Moriarty by 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Two months later they married in Barcelona in front of celebrity guests including Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark, Jordan North, Calvin Harris and wife Vick Hope, with his former co-host Chris Stark providing Master of Ceremony duties.

Scott was taken off air last week while bosses looked at the claim before announcing his dismissal on Monday – just six days after he vanished from Radio 2.

The BBC has refused to comment on the nature of his personal conduct, but the Daily Mirror claims that his shock exit is related to a ‘historic male relationship from more than ten years ago’.

The presenter was last on air on Tuesday, with veteran DJ Gary Davies replacing him from Wednesday onwards. 

The BBC said in a statement today: ‘While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.’

It has been claimed the DJ was informed over the weekend that he was sacked. 

Scott, who is paid between £355,000 and £359,999 a year by the BBC, took over the Radio 2 breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025.