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A well-known BBC presenter has been taken off air amid allegations that he paid a teenager for sexually explicit photographs. The presenter, who has not been named, is said to have paid the teenager, who was 17 at the time, more than £35,000 over a period of several years.
The allegations were first made by the teenager's mother, who told The Sun newspaper that she had seen bank statements showing the payments. She said that her daughter had used the money to fund a drug addiction.
The BBC has launched an investigation into the allegations and has taken the presenter off air pending the outcome of the investigation. The presenter has not commented on the allegations.
The allegations have caused a great deal of shock and anger among the BBC's audience. The BBC is a publicly funded broadcaster and is held to high standards of conduct. The allegations have raised questions about the BBC's vetting procedures and its ability to protect its employees from sexual misconduct.
The allegations have also had a negative impact on the BBC's reputation. The BBC is already under pressure from the government to make cuts to its budget. The allegations could further damage the BBC's public image and make it more difficult for the BBC to argue its case for public funding.
The allegations are still under investigation and it is not yet clear what the outcome will be. However, the allegations have already had a significant impact on the BBC. The presenter has been taken off air, the BBC's reputation has been damaged, and the BBC is facing questions about its vetting procedures.