BBC teenage presenter explicit photos scandal: UK government demands 'urgent' and 'sensitive' investigation

UPDATE: The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has described allegations that a star BBC presenter paid for sexually explicit photos of a teenager as 'deeply concerning'. UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said BBC Director-General Tim Davie assured her the company was investigating the allegations "promptly and sensitively".

"As a publicly funded public service broadcaster, senior officials have pointed out to the BBC that the allegations must be investigated urgently and sensitively,” DCMS said in a statement.

REVIOUSLY: UK broadcaster BBC is in the midst of a growing storm over allegations that a star presenter paid for sexually explicit photographs of a teenager.

The scandal erupted Friday when a British tabloid alleged that a BBC presenter had paid over £35,000 to a teenager. ($44,500) since they were 17 in exchange for explicit photographs.

"Alleged recipient's mother said she used the money to fund crack smoking", wrote The Sun. .

The presenter is believed to be - "a familiar face known to millions", according to The Sun - was taken off the air after the story aired.

Saturday the presenter stripped down for a video call. The Sun wrote, quoting the mother of the alleged victim who claimed to have seen the presenter on her child's phone: "leaning forward, getting ready for my child to play for him."

The mother's claims appear in a sworn affidavit provided to The Sun, the tabloid said, adding that the young person's family complained to the BBC on May 19.

A BBC spokesperson told Variety: "We treat all allegations very seriously and have processes in place to deal with them proactively.

"As part of this, if we receive any information that requires further investigation or review, we will take steps to do this. This includes actively trying to speak to those who have contacted us in order to obtain more details and understand the situation.

"If we get no response to our attempts or receive any other contact that may limit our ability to move things forward, but that doesn't mean our investigations stop.If at any time new information comes to light or is provided - including through the logs - it will be dealt with as appropriate, in accordance with internal processes. »

Meanwhile, several BBC presenters have taken to social media to deny they were the featured presenter, including Rylan Clark, Jeremy Vine and Gary Lineker.