Scott Mills opens up about ‘terrible’ anxiety and how he manages it
Scott Mills has spoken candidly about being an "anxious person" as he takes over Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.
The radio DJ presented his first official Scott Mills Breakfast Show on Monday 27 January, replacing Ball after she spent "six incredible years" hosting the early morning show.
Prior to his new gig, Mills presented his own show on Radio 1 from 2004 to 2022, later moving to Radio 1 to take over Steve Wright's afternoon show. But while listeners may think his long career on the air makes him a confident person, Mills said he still gets "a little wave" of anxiety once in a while.
In the early days of his radio career, Mills told The Times that he used to suffer from panic attacks.
"My mum still says, 'You’re really good at it, but I think you might be in the wrong job'. I’ve got used to it now," he said.
"I still get a little wave [of anxiety] every now and again. I’m just an anxious person. I used to suffer terribly with it and I seem to be able to handle it better now. I make sure that I have time to sleep and relax."
However, Mills said that he still "can’t quite believe" that he’s taken over Radio 2’s Breakfast Show, which had 6.4 million listeners tuning in when Ball was still the host. Before Ball, the show was hosted by Chris Evans from 2019 to 2024, and Terry Wogan from 1993 to 2009. Wogan also hosted the show from 1972 to 1984.
Mills said he doesn’t feel like he has "impostor syndrome" - the feeling a person may have that they don’t deserve their success - since he’s been at the BBC for a quarter of a century.
"But it is the biggest show on radio," he acknowledged. "And it’s been done by some of my radio heroes. So there is an element of: I can’t quite believe this is happening to me."
Mills also revealed that he is still a shy person, adding that "a lot of radio presenters are quite shy" and "not ready for the limelight".
"I didn’t factor in that you might be a bit famous because that was never the intention," he told the publication. "There was no social media. I remember thinking, the only time they’re going to see you is if you get to do Top of the Pops."
Last November, Ball announced she was stepping down from the show to "focus on family". She said: "I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. We’ve shared a hell of a lot, the tough times, there’s been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats.
"But I won’t miss the 4am alarm call, if I’m completely honest. You know I love you all to bits."
On Monday morning, during Mills’ first show, she left a message for him and said: "Hello you, it’s me, Zoe. I think I’m more excited about your first show than you will be right now.
"I keep getting really tearful. I’m so proud of you. I just need you to know that. You are so born to do this."
Read more about mental health:
6 ways to calm an anxious mind (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read)
Mum's panic attacks were dismissed by doctors before life-changing diagnosis (WalesOnline, 4-min read)
UK happiness and satisfaction levels fall while anxiety rises, survey suggests (PA Media, 4-min read)
