A well-known BBC presenter is said to have paid a teenager more than £35,000 for explicit nude photos. According to information from the tabloid “The Sun”, the crimes began in 2020 when the alleged victim was 17 years old. The presenter is no longer on the air and has been suspended, the BBC confirmed on Sunday.
In a statement, the station said it was working “as soon as possible” to find out the facts. “New allegations of a different nature were brought to our attention on Thursday and, in addition to our own investigations, we have also been in contact with external authorities, in accordance with our protocols.”
The teenager’s mother accused the unnamed BBC star in the “Sun” of having destroyed her child’s life. The alleged victim used the money to finance his drug addiction. “He took my child’s innocence and gave the money for crack that could kill my child.” According to media reports, the man is said to have made video calls with the teenager in his underwear. The alleged victim is now 20 years old.
The family complained to the BBC in May about the man’s behavior and begged them to “stop sending money”. However, the family reached out to the tabloids after the man was still on the air. She didn’t ask for any money from the “Sun”.
According to the newspaper, the alleged perpetrator is a “familiar face that millions of people know”.
A BBC spokesman told the “Sun” that the allegations were taken very seriously and that “appropriate steps” had been taken.
Culture and Media Minister Lucy Frazer said the BBC is investigating the allegations “quickly and sensitively,” according to Sky News. She spoke to BBC Director General Tim Davie about the “very worrying” allegations.
The Conservative politician wrote on Twitter: “Given the nature of the allegations, it is important that the BBC is now given the freedom it needs to conduct its investigations, establish the facts and take appropriate action.”
Other politicians also commented on the scandal. Shadow Labor Chancellor Rachel Reeves told Sky News: “The idea that some presenters think they can act with impunity and get away with things like this calls into question the ethics, the investigations and the persistence of these things.”
The reports have fueled speculation on social media about the identity of the alleged presenter. This prompted a number of BBC stars to publicly deny being the mystery presenter, Sky News further reports. Among them are Jeremy Vine, Rylan Clark and Gary Lineker.
The scandal could have far-reaching consequences for the BBC. Stewart Purvis, former chief of news agency Independent Television News, told the BBC the affair could damage the channel’s claim to be known as the “nation’s trusted broadcaster”.
BBC special correspondent Lucy Manning said the incident was “a clear crisis” for the broadcaster. “The BBC will come under pressure and need to show they are taking action.”
Sources: The Sun, Sky News, BBC
