Radio 1 icon accused of plugging records in exchange for prostitutes
EX-DISC jockey Tommy Vance was dubbed “king of the orgies” in a 1970s BBC sex scandal, it was claimed last night.
The Radio 1 icon was also accused of plugging records in return for prostitutes.
He was among five Beeb staffers named in an anonymous letter to a newspaper that exposed the claims over 40 years ago — but the BBC has refused to name the others as they are still alive.
The accuser told the News of the World after it reported the sex-for-airplay scandal: “I am a BBC producer and not amused by the way you’ve smeared myself and my colleagues. I suggest you hit some guilty ones.” He named Vance, who died in 2005, as “king of the orgies” with four others.
The claims were published in the paper in 1971 with the names blacked out. The BBC obtained a copy of the letter during an internal investigation.
The allegation has emerged after a Freedom of Information request as victims of Jimmy Savile fear another cover-up.
Vance’s agent Jon Roseman said: “I think the person who made this accusation had their own agenda.”
The BBC said QC Brian Neill, who led a report on the inquiry, concluded the evidence before him fell “a very long way short of justifying the allegations.” A spokesman added: “The allegations were never substantiated.”
Stephen George, attacked by Savile as a teen, said: “It’s time for the BBC to name names.”