Scott Mills’ stunning victory on the 2024 celebrity edition of *Race Across the World*, alongside his husband Sam Vaughan, now casts a long shadow over a planned spin-off series.
Just days before the launch of the sixth series, and a podcast titled *The Detour* set to be hosted by Mills and fellow winner Alfie Watts, the BBC abruptly terminated Mills’ contract following allegations of serious sexual offences.
The allegations, dating back to between 1997 and 2000, surfaced after a referral to the Metropolitan Police in December 2016. A man in his 40s was questioned under caution in 2018, but the Crown Prosecution Service ultimately determined there wasn’t enough evidence to pursue charges, closing the investigation in 2019.
Mills, previously one of the BBC’s highest earners with a salary exceeding £315,000, had recently taken over the coveted Radio 2 Breakfast Show from Zoe Ball. His dismissal represents a dramatic fall from grace.
Alfie Watts, who triumphed in the 2024 civilian series with his best friend Owen Wood, was poised to co-host *The Detour*. Their winning journey spanned 15,000 kilometers from Japan to Indonesia, making them the youngest ever champions.
The planned podcast aimed to provide an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of the upcoming civilian series, which will follow contestants on a grueling 12,000km route from Palermo, Italy, to Hatgal, Mongolia, traversing eight countries.
The future of *The Detour* now hangs in the balance, mirroring the uncertainty surrounding Mills’ career. The BBC has confirmed his departure but offered no further comment on the matter.
The latest civilian series promises a new set of adventurers facing an epic challenge, while the recent celebrity edition saw broadcaster Roman Kemp and his sister, Harley Moon, conquer the route from Mexico to Colombia.
