The BBC has suspended the unnamed presenter accused of paying a teenager for sexually explicit photographs.
The corporation has been in touch with the police over claims the mystery broadcaster paid a teenager more than £35,000 in exchange for the images.
Urgent talks have taken place between the BBC’s director-general and culture secretary Lucy Frazer.
The corporation said it was expecting to provide a “further update in the coming days” but fell short of naming the individual.
The identity of this well-known figure remains undisclosed, but The Sun reported that he is a “household name” with a six-figure salary.
The BBC said in a statement: “We have been clear that if – at any point – new information comes to light or is provided to us, this will be acted upon appropriately and actively followed up.
“The BBC first became aware of a complaint in May. New allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature and in addition to our own inquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols.
“We can also confirm a male member of staff has been suspended.
“We expect to be in a position to provide a further update in the coming days as the process continues.
“The BBC board will continue to be kept up to date.”
In an internal email to staff, BBC director-general Tim Davie said: “By law, individuals are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy, which is making this situation more complex. I also want to be very clear that I am wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent.
“We are in contact with the family referenced in the media reports. I want to assure you that we are working rapidly to establish the facts and to ensure that these matters are handled fairly and with care, including by external authorities where appropriate.”
The arrangement is said to have begun in 2020 when the alleged victim was 17 years old.
The Sun reported that a series of payments have been made, fuelling the youth’s crack cocaine addiction.
The mother of the individual, now aged 20, claimed she had seen bank statements showing payments adding up to more than £35,000, including one sum of £5,000.
She told The Sun the presenter requested “performances” and she found an image on her child’s phone in which the presenter was “sitting on a sofa in his house in his underwear”.
BBC presenters including Gary Lineker, Rylan Clark and Jeremy Vine have denied it is them after false accusations on social media.
BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell also spoke out against speculation it could be him, threatening to sue Twitter users who appeared to falsely accuse him.
