Scott Mills replaced by 'thrilled' Strictly star for Eurovision coverage after BBC firing
Scott Mills has been replaced by a Strictly star in hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 semi-finals.
The former BBC Radio 2 DJ was sacked in March after it emerged he was investigated over alleged serious sexual offences against a boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000.
The 53-year-old allegedly stayed in contact with the boy for years until around 2006. The investigation was dropped due to lack of evidence.
He has since spoken out about his firing, reiterating that the police probe was closed seven years ago and asking the public to “respect my wish not to make any further comment”.
Mills was dropped by Eurovision as one of the hosts of the TV coverage - a role he has held since 2011.
It has now been confirmed that Angela Scanlon, an Irish TV presenter and former Strictly Come Dancing, will take his place.
The 42-year-old - who has a podcast with Vicky Pattison - will join returning Eurovision commentator Rylan Clark in hosting the live broadcasts of the semi-finals from the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna, Austria.
Both semi-final shows will air on BBC One and on iPlayer as the entries perform for a place in the final.
The first semi-final takes place on Tuesday, May 12, and the second on Thursday, May 14, both at 8pm. The live final will air on Saturday, May 16.
Discussing joining the Eurovision team, The One Show presenter Scanlon said: “It feels like joining the greatest party on earth – equal parts thrilling and terrifying!
“I grew up watching the Eurovision Song Contest with my three sisters, making very serious (and wildly biased) scorecards from the couch, so to now be part of it – especially in its 70th year – is genuinely surreal.
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“It’s one of those shows that’s always been there, evolving but never losing its magic or madness.”
She added: “I’ve been lucky enough to dip my toe into the Eurovision world before, so it feels great to be doing it again, just with higher heels and a few more sequins!”
Co-host Clark teased that the festivities for the 70th year of Eurovision will mark the “biggest show on the planet”.
“Being part of anything this big is something younger me could never have imagined,” he added.
Sara Cox, who is replacing Mills on BBC Radio 2 this summer, will bring listeners the semi-final coverage on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
The semi-finals will also performances from the pre-qualified ‘Big Four’ (Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom), plus other acts.
After 10 entrants are eliminated, the line-up of 25 acts will be complete, and one will go on to win the contest.
The 36-year-old - real name Sam Battle - is a singer/songwriter, live electronics performer and composer and inventor of unique musical machines based in Kent.