BBC presenter accused over sexually explicit photos faces fresh claims as MP says corporation ‘has questions to answer’

BBC Broadcasting House in London

A “household name” BBC presenter accused of paying a teenager for explicit photos is facing fresh allegations that he stripped to his underpants during a video call with the youth.

The young person’s mother said she was “shocked” after her offspring showed her a screenshot of the video chat, in which the unnamed star was sitting in his boxer shorts on a sofa at his home.

She told The Sun that the man appeared to be “leaning forward, getting ready for my child to perform for him.”

“My child told me, ‘I have shown things’ and this was a picture from some kind of video call,” she added.

The newspaper did not say when the alleged incident happened.

The mother also alleged that earlier this year she was shocked after overhearing the presenter “on the phone saying to my child: ‘I told you not to f***ing ring me’.”

It comes after The Sun previously claimed that the well-known presenter had paid a total of more than £35,000 to the youth in return for “sexual pictures”.

The man is said to have first requested images when the teenager was 17 back in 2020, and has made a series of payments since then.

No one involved has been named, but The Sun said the presenter has not been suspended and is thought to still being paid his six-figure salary in full.

It said the family made a complaint on 19 May but came forward to the media after becoming frustrated that the man was still on air a month later.

The mother said her offspring told her they had also received a payment of £1,000 in June over PayPal which suggested that the “BBC hadn’t spoken to this man” in the weeks after the initial complaint.

Going public ‘the only way to stop it’

The presenter is now off-air and the BBC has reportedly launched an investigation, although the corporation has not confirmed this.

The youth, who is now aged 20, used the money to fund a crack cocaine habit which “destroyed” their life, the mother has also claimed.

She told the newspaper: “If it goes on then my child is going to wind up dead. Putting this out to the public is the only way to stop it.”

The claims have prompted frenzied speculation on social media over the identity of the presenter and led to a string of BBC stars, including Jeremy Vine and Gary Lineker, to public speak out to deny they are the mystery figure.

Source : https://news.sky.com/story/bbc-presenter-accused-over-explicit-photos-stripped-to-underpants-during-video-call-with-youth-12917705

BEEB’S BAD NEWS Top BBC stars sent redundancy letters as broadcaster tries to cut millions from its budget

THE BBC has issued redundancy letters to some of its most famous presenters – including veteran newsreader Huw Edwards.

Cash-strapped executives have asked some of the broadcaster’s best known if they’re interested in voluntary redundancy as part of a cost-cutting scheme.

Veteran newsreader Huw Edwards is among the presenters to have been issued redundancy lettersCredit: PA

The letters – circulated through a mass email to top-earning talent on TV and radio – was sent to top BBC News host Huw Edwards, who is paid more than £450,000 a year.

TV stalwart Edwards, 61, won praise for his composure after announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth to the world last year, and recently signed a new three-year deal with the broadcaster.

An email sent by BBC News editor Philippa Busby reportedly quizzed senior on-screen staff if they “would like to consider potentially leaving the BBC under voluntary redundancy”.

Other high-profile figures targeted for redundancy by the ailing broadcaster include Mastermind host Clive Myrie, newsreader Sophie Raworth and Today programme host Nick Robinson – all paid more than £250,000 a year.

Any redundancy payment would be capped at £150,000 – making it unlikely leading figures will choose to leave.

Insiders told the Mail on Sunday the move had sent already low staff morale plummeting, branding the letters “depressing”.

The redundancy letters are thought to be linked to cost-cutting measures announced by Director-General Tim Davie last year.

The BBC said: “We’re looking for expressions of interest in redundancy, not offering it, and it’s not the case that any or everyone who came forward would be accepted.”

Another high-profile presenter targeted by the BBC is Mastermind host Clive MyrieCredit: Hat Trick

Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/22055806/top-bbc-stars-redundancy-letters-budget-huw-edwards/?utm_campaign=native_share&utm_source=sharebar_native&utm_medium=sharebar_native

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