BBC host arrested on suspicion of sex offenses
LONDON (AP) — Veteran BBC TV and radio presenter Paul Gambaccini was arrested on suspicion of sexual offenses, the broadcaster said Friday.
Gambaccini, 64, has worked at the BBC for four decades and is one of Britain's best-known music presenters. The BBC said he was held at his home and was questioned in police custody Tuesday. He was released on bail later that day.
Gambaccini's spokesman said the presenter denies the allegations.
Police didn't confirm the report, saying only that two men, aged 64 and 74, were arrested Tuesday as part of an operation probing historical sexual abuse. The investigation was triggered by the abuse scandal surrounding late BBC broadcaster Jimmy Savile, and has so far arrested more than a dozen people.
Police in Britain don't name suspects until they are charged.
The BBC said Gambaccini wouldn't be presenting his weekly radio show Saturday and would stay off-air in the next few weeks.
"Paul Gambaccini has decided that, in light of today's media attention, he would rather not be on air at present and we respect that decision," a BBC statement said.
