Rylan Clark says he is not the BBC presenter accused of paying teenager thousands for sexually-explicit pictures that they then used to buy crack cocaine
- The unnamed presenter is said to have asked the teenager for ‘performances’
Rylan Clark has taken to social media to clear his name amid reports that a top BBC star paid a vulnerable teenager £35,000 for sexual pictures that the youngster used to buy crack cocaine.
A presenter, who is described as well-known but has not been named, 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.
Today Rylan, who has presented on BBC Radio Two among a string of other work, distanced himself from the reports with a post on Twitter.
He wrote: ‘Not sure why my names floating about but re that story in The Sun – that ain’t me babe.
Rylan Clark has taken to social media to clear his name amid reports that a top BBC star paid a vulnerable teenager £35,000 for sexual pictures that the youngster used to buy crack cocaine
The star wrote today: ‘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.’
The unnamed 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 presenter at the heart of the investigation has reportedly been taken off air
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
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 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.’
