Scott Mills admits he was ‘sneery and sarcastic’ in early Radio 1 days: ‘Punch-down humour was popular’-Robert Oliver-Entertainment – Metro

Mills joined Radio 1 in 1998 and set about changing the face of radio (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty)

Scott Mills has admitted to being ‘sneery and sarcastic’ during his earliest days at Radio 1, describing his show’s ‘punch-down humour’ as ‘popular’.

The radio DJ, 49, who made the permanent switch from Radio 1 to Radio 2 earlier this year, also said some of pranks were ‘quite mean’.

Mills joined Radio 1 in 1998, presenting the breakfast show until 2004, at which point he then moved to an afternoon slot to stand in for Sara Cox.

Throughout his time at Radio 1, he also presented the Chart Show – first in the former slot of Sunday afternoons, then later on Friday evenings.

Reflecting on his early days at Radio 1, Mills admitted: ‘Some of my early Radio 1 shows, when you hear them back now, seem a bit sneery and sarcastic.’

He continued: ‘Some of the pranks feel quite mean, a kind of punching-down humour that was popular at the time.’

Mills hosted on Radio 1 for 24 years – one of the longest stints on BBC Radio (Picture: JMEnternational/Getty)

Speaking to Radio Times, Mills revealed that he had been offered another two-year contract by Radio 1 but wanted to move to pastures new.

‘I’m 49 now and, down the line, who wants a 60-year-old Scott Mills on Radio 1?’

There was often a unique sense of humour to Mills’ show, who included regular features such as Innuendo Bingo and Granny Tinder.

Innuendo Bingo would often feature famous faces trying not to laugh at rude moments off the TV, while Granny Tinder saw elderly guests vetting potential dates.

Mills took over Steve Wright’s radio slot on Radio 2 this year (Picture: BBC)

Mills had been covering for various presenters on Radio 2 ever since 2017, and filled in regularly for Ken Bruce’s show, taking charge of quiz show PopMaster.

Over time, Mills says that he’s come to realise that the ‘warmer’ atmosphere on Radio 2 is better suited to where he’s currently at in life.

He said: ‘I much prefer being warm on the radio. I think people would expect me to tone things down a bit just because it’s a station for over-35s.’

Mills’ regular co-host, Chris Stark, left the BBC entirely to host Capital FM’s Breakfast show alongside Roman Kemp.

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When confirming his exit, Mills gave an emotional monologue live on air: ‘When you sign up to Radio 1, you always know at some point you’re going to leave.’

Speaking in July, he said: ‘I’m also feeling a little bit in denial that this is actually happening, but apparently it is.’

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