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Apr
Harrogate concert organiser comments on Scott Mills allegations
The organiser of an outdoor concert in Harrogate — at which Scott Mills was announced as one of the acts — has said any decisions will be made "once all relevant information is known".
The BBC has sacked the former BBC Radio 2 and Radio 1 DJ over allegations relating to his personal conduct.
The Mirror broke the news on Monday (March 30), but the BBC has not released any details on why Mills was sacked.
It has since emerged Mills was questioned by The Metropolitan Police in 2018 over allegations of historical sexual offences, but the investigation was closed due to insufficient evidence.
The 53-year-old, who was the BBC’s 11th highest-paid star, is due to perform at Ibiza Symphonica at the Great Yorkshire Showground on August 15.
The event, which is the first major outdoor concert at the showground since Sir Elton John in 2012, will see Ibiza dance anthems reworked by a 40-piece orchestra.
Mills is booked to open the evening with a “special warm-up DJ set, setting the tone for the night with Ibiza classics that have soundtracked his years on the island”.
The Stray Ferret contacted Freddy White, founder of Sound & White and lead promoter of Ibiza Symphonica, to ask if Mills is still part of the line-up in light of the allegations.
Mr White said:
We are aware of the media reports regarding Scott Mills. Any decisions will be made once all relevant information is known.
We also contacted Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the farming charity that owns the showground, but a spokesperson said Mr White is handling all media enquiries.
The event will be held in the main ring at the Great Yorkshire Showground.
According to national media reports, The Metropolitan Police said Mills was questioned in 2018 over allegations of serious sexual offences, which were reported to have occurred between 1997 and 2000 and related to a teenage boy.
However, the investigation was closed the following year after the Crown Prosecution Service deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.
Ibiza Symphonica is a collaboration between Sound & White and The Great Yorkshire Events Centre.
Singers Heather Small, Rebecca Ferguson and Alison Limerick are also due to perform.
Profits from events at the showground go to the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which organises the annual Great Yorkshire Show.
A portion of ticket sales from Ibiza Symphonica will be donated to two local charities: the David Brown Foundation, a Harrogate and Yorkshire-based youth and education charity, and Harrogate Theatre Trust, which supports the continued delivery of arts and creative activity within the town.
Tickets will be limited to an 8,000 capacity and the event will run from 6pm to 10.30pm.
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