Scott Mills, 51, reveals he's finally financially secure and has 'made it' months after taking over BBC Radio 2's breakfast show from Zoe Ball
Scott Mills has revealed he's finally 'financially secure' feels like he's 'made it' after landing Zoe Ball 's gig on BBC Radio 2.
The DJ, 51, took over hosting the highly esteemed breakfast show on from Zoe, 54, in January.
Speaking about his career, Scott told The Telegraph how he's finally learned to say 'no' to work after years of missing sleep for various gigs.
He said: 'I still feel insecurity a little bit.
'I also think that's because I work in an industry where you don't signup thinking this is a job for life. Contracts can end, radio stations get taken over, and then they decide "we don't have a lot for you". That's happened to a lot of people I know.
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'Through my 20s, 30s and even 40s, if I was offered work, I'd take it, sometimes at a risk to my health.
'I was working way too much, because my mindset was that you don't know when it might end.'
Scott continued: 'There was one freshers' week where my schedule for playing in student unions was: Monday: Aberdeen, Tuesday: Glasgow, Wednesday: Edinburgh.
'I would do my show in London, fly to Scotland, do the gig around midnight, stay over with four hours sleep, fly back, do the show in London, repeat.
'I took every opportunity for 20 years and actually, I don't really want to any more. I enjoyed it, but life is different now.'
After a career spanning three decades, Scott now finally believes he's 'made it', following his promotion by BBC bosses in January.
He said: 'For the first time, I really do believe in myself.
'It's like, "you have to look at the facts. They've put you on the breakfast show, you must be doing something right".'
Scott was previously reported to be taking a small pay rise for presenting the show, earning approximately £450,000 a year which is far below Zoe's £950,000.
The dramatic pay difference comes as BBC bosses are under 'enormous pressure' to cut back on costs.
Scott defended his salary and said he had been 'playing the long game' his whole life to reach this point.
Zoe left the breakfast show to focus on family and admitted how she wouldn't miss the 4am wake up calls that come with anchoring the flagship slot.
She said at the time: '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 good times, the tough times, there's been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats.'
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