BBC launch probe into star who is taken off air after ‘paying teenager £35,000 for sexual pictures’

The BBC has launched an investigation into one of its top stars, who has been taken off air over claims he paid a vulnerable teenager £35,000 for sexual pictures that the youngster used to buy crack cocaine. 

The well-known presenter allegedly began paying the teenager when they were 17, and sent them the money which they used to fund a drug addiction.

The child’s mother, who has made the shocking allegations in May, told the Sun she feels ‘sick’ whenever she sees the man on TV, as questions grow over why it took so long for the corporation to act.

The star was said to have requested ‘performances’ from the individual, who told their mother they would then ‘get their bits out’. 

A formal complaint was made to the BBC by the family two months ago, begging bosses to stop the behaviour towards their child, now 20. 

On social media, the corporation was slammed over the length of time it reportedly took to launch a probe.

One said: ‘They were approached by the child’s parents with proof back in May! I’ve carried out many workplace investigations in my time and it certainly doesn’t take months!’

It is claimed the star sent hundreds or even thousands of pounds at once, once depositing a sum of £5,000 in the teenager’s bank account. 

The stricken mother said: ‘Whenever 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.’

She continued: ‘The money had been in exchange for sexually explicit photographs of my child.’ 

The star, said to be known to millions, allegedly requested ‘performances’ from the teenager, who used the cash to fund their spiralling drug habit.

The explicit messages are said to have started in 2020. The family said the star did not hide his identity and even sent photographs to the teen while he was at work. 

The mother told the Sun their child went from a ‘happy-go-lucky youngster to a ghost-like crack addict’ in just three years.

It is claimed that even after the family complained, the star continued to send money and remained on air.

A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘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, 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.’