A top BBC presenter has been accused of paying a teenager tens of thousands of pounds for explicit photos.
The mother of the alleged victim said the money – allegedly amounting to more than £35,000 – was used to fund a cocaine addiction which “destroyed” her child’s life.
The family complained to the BBC about the behaviour on 19 May and begged the broadcaster to make the presenter “stop sending the cash,” according to The Sun.
Neither the individual or the teenager, who was said to be 17 when the payments began, was identified.
The BBC said it takes “any allegations very seriously”. The star is currently not scheduled to be on air, it has been reported.
As speculation grew about the identity of the presenter, two high profile figures came out to deny any involvement.
Writing on Twitter, TV presenter Rylan Clark said: “Not sure why my names floating about but re that story in the sun- that ain’t me babe. I’m Currently filming a show in Italy for the bbc, so take my name out ya mouths.”
Shortly afterwards, radio star Jeremy Vine also responded to the story, telling his Twitter followers: “It certainly ain’t me”.
Addressing more baseless speculation, he wrote: “Just to say I’m very much looking forward to hosting my radio show on Monday — whoever the “BBC Presenter” in the news is, I have the same message for you as Rylan did earlier: it certainly ain’t me.”
While Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker did not mention the allegations specifically, he wrote on Twitter: “Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me.”
Speaking about the allegations, the mother of the victim told The Sun how her child, now 20, had gone from a “happy-go-lucky youngster to a ghost-like crack addict” in three years.
She said: “When I see him on telly, I feel sick.
“I blame this BBC man for destroying my child’s life.
“Taking my child’s innocence and handing over the money for crack cocaine that could kill my child.”
In response to the report, a BBC spokesperson said: “We treat any allegations very seriously and we have processes in place to proactively deal with them.
“As part of that, if we receive information that requires further investigation or examination we will take steps to do this.
“That includes actively attempting to speak to those who have contacted us in order to seek further detail and understanding of the situation.
“If we get no reply to our attempts or receive no further contact, that can limit our ability to progress things but it does not mean our enquiries stop.
“If, at any point, new information comes to light or is provided – including via newspapers – this will be acted upon appropriately, in line with internal processes.”
The BBC’s own culture editor Katie Razzall said the BBC’s statement appears to suggest its initial investigation may have been hampered by a lack of response from the family.
Why would an innocent person feel the need to defend themselves when they haven’t been accused? That’s suspicious!
In today’s societyit has gone from innocent till proven guilty to guilty till the deep state says you are not guilty.
Us Brits are sick to death of funding this vile,woke,corrupt organisation that has protected paedophiles for over 60 years?
With so many different channels and subscriptions now,we still have to pay by law £159 a year to watch live television,even if you don’t watch the BBC?
There are certain things you are legally allowed to watch such as On Demand and Catch Up TV but if you watch BBC I Player catch up,you need a licence.
‘Live’ TV means anything that is actually on TV at any time and you are not even allowed to record programmes to watch later without a licence.
The BBC can’t get you put in prison for not having a licence but they can take you to court and if you refuse to pay the fine,you can go to prison!
Brits are sick of funding these woke,hypocrites like Gary Lineker and all the leftist propaganda they churn out every single day?
Time to scrap the licence fee and let the BBC fund itself through a voluntary subscription?
They know they would be finished!
Al, I am 100% with you. I don’t watch a single thing they broadcast. Nothing. But I can go to jail if I don’t pay em??!! Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s racketeering, mate. And BBC “news” . . . . I was in london central on the day that the BBC reported white supremacists turned up the day after BLM burned our flag at the cenotaph, spray painted our memorials etc. Well, these “white supremacists” that the BBC labelled, were our British Legion veterans marching in order, wearing blazers and berets with regimental crests. They peacefully stood around these historic monuments. So . . . THATS the BBC. Protect paedophiles. Vilify our vets. They need burning down.
The msm everywhere is corrupt and part of t the Democratic Party. When you promote and support perversion you are the problem The democrats are vile, corrupt and deeply evil. Protect your kids from them and start very young
If the kid would’ve used it to have their genitals looped off they’d be fine with it.
I thought the Left decriminalized their perversions of filth. They sure are trying to do so here in the US – Disgusting Democrats want this country to become Epstein Island.