The world of adventure television is reeling after a swift and unexpected turn of events surrounding beloved broadcaster Scott Mills. Just months after triumphantly crossing the finish line in a grueling race across South America with his husband, Sam Vaughan, Mills has been removed from his role with the BBC.
Mills and Vaughan captivated audiences in 2024, conquering a 12,500-kilometer route from Brazil to Chile in the celebrity edition of *Race Across the World*. Their victory was a testament to endurance and partnership, a story many viewers deeply connected with. This win had positioned Mills to co-host a new spin-off podcast, *The Detour*, charting the journey of the latest civilian series.
However, the announcement of *The Detour*, made only weeks ago with Alfie Watts as his co-host, has been overshadowed. The BBC confirmed Mills is no longer contracted to the corporation following a resurfaced investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences. The investigation, initially launched in 2016, involved questioning a man in his 40s regarding incidents reported between 1997 and 2000.
While the Crown Prosecution Service determined there wasn’t enough evidence to bring charges, the allegations prompted immediate action. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed a full file of evidence was submitted and reviewed, ultimately leading to the case’s closure in 2019. The timing of this development has sent shockwaves through the broadcasting industry.
In a dramatic shift, Tyler West, a familiar face to *Race Across the World* fans as a 2025 celebrity contestant alongside his fiancée Molly Rainford, will now step into the hosting role for *The Detour*. West’s own experience navigating the challenges of the race provides a unique perspective for the podcast.
Alfie Watts, the 2024 civilian series winner with his friend Owen Wood, will continue as co-host. Their remarkable journey saw them become the youngest ever winners, completing a 15,000-kilometer route from Japan to Indonesia. Watts brings firsthand insight into the demands and triumphs of the competition.
The latest civilian series promises a new set of challenges, sending contestants on a 12,000-kilometer trek from Italy to Mongolia, traversing eight countries. The race will test their resilience, resourcefulness, and ability to navigate unfamiliar territories.
The unfolding situation serves as a stark reminder of the complexities within the entertainment world and the swift consequences that can follow allegations, even those dating back decades. The focus now shifts to the new series and the voices of West and Watts as they guide listeners through the unfolding adventure.
