Scots broadcaster Nicky Campbell has hit out at a twisted troll who claims the telly veteran is the BBC star accused of paying cash to a teenager in exchange for explicit photos.
A number of figures who work for the BBC have come out to deny that they are the individual who has been taken off air after revelations were first published by The Sun. Reports claim that a star "known to millions" had paid £35,000 to a then 17-year-old for pics.
Rylan, Jeremy Vine and Gary Lineker are among those to have publicly denied that they are the person in question. And 5 Live presenter Nicky has singled out a troll who claimed he was the person responsible – reporting the troll to the Metropolitan Police.
In a now-deleted tweet, the user had posted a photograph of Nicky, writing: "This is the BBC host who paid teenager for sexually explicit photos. £35,000 paid for the photos #Disgusting."
Sharing a screenshot of the tweet and the profile of its author, Nicky said: "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 had also sought to engage with the troll before reporting him to the police, writing: "Would you please take this down or if not supply me with your real name please. Much appreciated."
Nicky then shared a screenshot of a message from the Met Police confirming receipt of a crime report. Other Twitter users banded together to show support for the presenter. TV critic Scott Bryan said: "I’m sorry this has happened. good decision to report this."
Good Morning Britain newsreader India Willoughby added: "Well said Nicky. It’s an absolute cesspit here."
The BBC says it is "actively attempting" to speak to the family of the woman, who is now 20, about their claims. A spokesperson told The Sun: "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."
Nicky revealed a year ago that he was a victim of abuse as a child at a private Scottish school. He has detailed how he was allegedly physically abused by a teacher at the Edinburgh Academy in the 1970s, and claimed to have witnessed classmates sexually abused at the hands of another member of staff.
Iain Wares, an 83-year-old teacher Campbell has accused of abuse, lives in Cape Town, South Africa, and has been fighting extradition to the UK. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has heard that dozens of schoolboys from Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College claimed to have been abused by him.
Nicky and other pupils are set to find out next week whether another teacher, John Brownlee, will face charges in Scotland. Campbell has claimed Brownlee was the teacher who physically abused him.
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