There were emotional scenes at the BBC Radio 1 studios today as Scott Mills and Chris Stark bid farewell as their final show came to an end.
Having learned that the recording studio would be named after him, Mills spent his final show alongside Stark celebrating, reminiscing, and thanking all who have supported them.
Nearing the end of the show, Mills also shared an emotional message to listeners as he reflected on the power of radio as a place of support and friendship.
Having been on the air for 24 years, the legendary radio DJ spoke of exciting opportunities ahead yet maintained that Radio 1 will always be “your mate”.
“I, like millions of you, have grown up with Radio... it’s been more than half of my life sat here talking to you,” Mills said, before becoming tearful.
“And, in that time, I’ve publicly come out, I’ve met some of my best friends like the ones sitting opposite me, and I’ve had break-ups and found love and lost it again sometimes. I’ve said hello and goodbye to family and... every low, this show has got me through and every high, I’ve been lucky enough to celebrate has been here. Radio 1 has been a constant through all of this,” he said.
Reflecting on the impact the show and its listeners have had on him, Mills also said that it would have been nothing without its supporters.
He continued: “We’ve done so much stuff and, over the last month, people have sent immensely kind messages about what the show meant to them. The truth is, everything we’ve meant to you, you’ve meant to me.”
Live from the new ✨82Mills Studio✨@scott_mills @Chris_Stark pic.twitter.com/YawR8gnXBd
— BBC Radio 1 (@BBCR1) August 25, 2022
On a poignant note, as he held back tears, Mills also spoke about the show helping and supporting people through difficult times.
“And the whole point of this show is, if things are tough at school, or at work or at home, and if they’re tough with your parents, or in your relationship, or if you feel a little bit lonely, we’re your friends. It’s not an act, it’s not a performance. We’re your friends,” he continued.
“We were here to be stupid and give everyone a bit of a laugh and a safe space from all the mad and horrible things that are going on. Radio 1 will continue to be that and, for me, it’s the biggest compliment that any platform can have. Radio 1 is your mate,” he said.
Mills later went on to thank several important people as well as listeners as he held back tears during an emotional closing segment.
“If you ever feel there is no-one there, or if you feel lost, or if there’s nothing good around you, I’ll say one thing to you. Turn on the radio,” he added, before playing Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful.
As millions tuned in to listen to the iconic duo one last time, the radio DJs rounded off their final show by playing Night Changes, by One Direction.
