Radio 2's Scott Mills 'almost sacked' by furious BBC bosses before replacing Zoe Ball

Scott Mills has recently taken over Zoe Ball's slow on BBC Radio 2 (Image: PA)

Scott Mills is relishing his role as the fresh host of Radio 2's Breakfast Show, but he nearly didn't make it this far.

At 51, the DJ has taken over the reins from Zoe Ball on her popular morning programme, transitioning from his stint at Radio 1. Despite his long service to the BBC since 1998, Scott recently revealed to Dermot O'Leary a scandalous past episode that almost cost him his broadcasting career.

He opened up about the infamous event which unfolded after an evening of revelry post-Brit Awards. A particular incident nearly sealed his fate at the BBC when Dermot showcased an old clip featuring a noticeably inebriated Scott during his early morning show in 2001.

Scott admitted the close shave with dismissal in his own words: "That's called how to really nearly lose your job at BBC. I had got carried away so much at the Brit Awards, because I had never been there before, and time just fast-forwarded, and somebody went, what time are you on air? ".

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"And I said, 'Four? ' and they went, 'Well, it's two now'. Oh no! It was horrendous", reports the Mirror.

READ MORE: Vernon Kay says Zoe Ball exit from BBC Radio 2 was a 'big blow' [LATEST]

Scott Mills admitted that he took it too far during one night out after the BRIT Awards (Image: BBC)

Admitting his youthful folly, Scott recounted how the BBC chiefs were justifiably enraged by his antics. He reminisced about the controversial 'den' at Radio 1, a no-go today, where back then, instead of going home, he grabbed sleep in the wee hours.

"And also, there was a thing, at Radio 1 then, called the den," he recalled.

"This probably wasn't allowed, but why go home when you can have a couple hours of sleep in the den? I mean, I was young, I'm in my 20s, right?".

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Scott Mills remains a beloved figure among the listeners, despite his candid revelation. He has previously delighted audiences with his tenure from 2pm to 4pm on BBC Radio 2 and his early morning shows on Radio 1.

The radio personality recently stepped into the spotlight following the announcement that he would be taking over the breakfast slot from Zoe Ball after her six-year stint. Scott disclosed some behind-the-scenes moments from 20 years earlier when Zoe inadvertently helped kick-start his career.

Recalling the incident in November, he shared with Zoe: "I will never forget how you really took me under your wing and you really looked after me because I didn't know one person there."

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He went on to recount the serendipitous day when Zoe overslept for her morning show, resulting in Scott being her impromptu stand-in. He expressed deep gratitude for the incident, calling it the "biggest favour" of his professional life, as it opened doors for him to regularly cover for other presenters like Sara Cox, Nick Grimshaw, and Chris Moyles over two decades, all thanks to Zoe's one-time lapse.

"Because of that I then covered that breakfast show," he enthused. "Whether it was in for you or for Sara (Cox), or then for Grimmie (Nick Grimshaw) or Chris Moyles, I did it for well over 20 years, all because you overslept."

Radio 2's Scott Mills 'almost sacked' by furious BBC bosses before replacing Zoe Ball

Radio 2's Scott Mills 'almost sacked' by furious BBC bosses before replacing Zoe Ball

Radio 2's Scott Mills 'almost sacked' by furious BBC bosses before replacing Zoe Ball

Radio 2's Scott Mills 'almost sacked' by furious BBC bosses before replacing Zoe Ball

Radio 2's Scott Mills 'almost sacked' by furious BBC bosses before replacing Zoe Ball