So now we know that Scott Mills was the highest-paid presenter at the BBC before he was ruthlessly sacked in March.
The figures involved almost make your eyes water. The astonishing £745,000 salary was almost double that of fellow radio star Greg James, in second place.
Of course, this shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise given the Radio 2 breakfast job always comes with a massive pay-packet. Just ask Zoe Ball who was paid more than £1.36m during her first year presenting the show in 2019.
But seeing Mills occupy the top spot just reinforces quite how much of a spectacular fall from grace the last few months have been for the 53-year-old. I broke the story of his sacking earlier this year, and how it was linked to a historic investigation into serious sexual offences against a teenage boy.
Despite some howls from Mills’ friends over his treatment, the BBC say they had no choice to give him the bullet after learning the child was under 16. And insiders resolutely stand by their decision, and furthermore, they are “totally relaxed” about the list emerging today showing him in the top earnings spot.
Said one insider: “In fact it proves hands-down that the power dynamic has swung from the talent back to the BBC. The fact they have sacked their biggest star only proves this point. They are not afraid of making big decisions.”
The emergence of Mills’ extraordinary level of earning puts into perspective the scale of his downfall despite the fact he was not charged as the CPS didn’t have enough evidence. Insiders say he is struggling to accept what has happened to him, and insist that he still has the support of former colleagues.
But there are some within Radio 2 who are “extremely wary” of what has occurred, and are keen to distance themselves from him. Says one insider: “This portrayal of Radio 2 staff all being up in arms couldn’t be further from the truth. There is some support, but on the whole people are nervous about associating themselves with someone who the BBC has fired.”
As for Mills’ future, there is a feeling he is not going to take his dismissal lying down. He has retained expensive lawyers who are in discussions with the BBC, and a small number of friends are adamant he can return to public life.
A source said: “Scott is currently assessing his options at his villa in Spain. There is a bullish feeling among his friends that he can emerge from this…but just as many feel a path back is unlikely.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
