BBC stars deny being the presenter accused of paying teenager for sexually express pictures
Several BBC stars have spoken out to distance themselves from allegations that an unnamed presenter paid a youngster greater than £35,000 for sexually express pictures.
The Sun has not named the “well-known” determine dealing with the accusations, however stated they are paid a six-figure salary and are currently off-air.
The claims have prompted frenzied hypothesis over the person’s id on social media.
But authorized consultants, together with former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal, have warned the general public that they face being sued in the event that they make false accusations on-line.
He wrote on Twitter: “Bit of legal advice… If you name someone and get it wrong then they may sue you for defamation and you can say goodbye to everything you own. So don’t.”
The string of false claims have angered a number of high-profile BBC stars, prompting some to publicly communicate out to clear their names.
Nicky Campbell
The BBC Radio 5 Live presenter is amongst these talking out and seems to have gone to the police after being wrongly named as the person on-line.
He posted an internet site screenshot on Twitter which stated: “Thank you for contacting the Metropolitan Police Service to report your crime.”
Nicky Campbell prompt he had gone to the police after being falsely named on-line
Mr Campbell added: “I think it’s important to take a stand. There’s just too many of these people on social media. Thanks for your support friends.”
He additionally wrote: “please delete these or I will sue you” and “coming for you” in response to different Twitter customers who appeared to falsely accuse him.
Gary Lineker
The former England soccer star and Match Of The Day presenter was one other massive identify to hit out.
“Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me,” he tweeted.
The presenter additionally doesn’t match The Sun’s description of the unnamed star being paid a six-figure wage, primarily based on the most recent out there figures.
A report released by the BBC last summer revealed he was on a better wage of seven figures – of between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999.
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Rylan Clark
The TV and radio host is one other harmless man who has spoken out after being wrongly named.
The 34-year-old wrote on Twitter: “Not positive why my names floating about however re that story within the solar – that ain’t me babe.
“I’m currently filming a show in Italy for the bbc, so take my name out ya mouths.”
Jeremy Vine
The BBC Radio 2 presenter additionally reacted with frustration to claims that he was the person concerned within the claims.
The father-of-two stated: “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.”
Vine additionally ‘appreciated’ a Tweet which stated: “I find both Jeremy Vine and Rylan mildly irritating and I switch channels when they appear… However, there’s no way either of them deserves to be a target of such speculation.”
The relaxation
Several different presenters have additionally been falsely named on social media – however have up to now determined to not problem public denials.
Dozens of BBC hosts are paid six-figure salaries or don’t presently have exhibits on air, prompting considerations that a lot of them might have their reputations unfairly tarnished by being wrongly linked to the allegations.
BBC particular correspondent Lucy Manning informed the company’s News at Ten programme: “The BBC will need to answer… if it’s fair to other presenters unconnected to this that their names are now sort of in the headlines.”