BBC suspends Brit Sikh star over sex pest claims
July 12th, 2009 - 1:39 pm ICT by ANILondon, July 12 (ANI): The BBC has suspended Brit Sikh Hardeep Singh Kohli, the star of the One Show, after he was accused of sexually pestering a female researcher.
According to reports, furious Beeb bosses have axed the comedian from his roving reporter role on the show for six months.
The female researcher lodged her complaint about Harpreet’s behaviour two months ago.
Kohli, 39, who had been regarded as one of the BBC’s rising stars, was hauled in front of bosses who demanded that he apologise to the woman.
A spokeswoman confirmed his removal from the BBC1 show yesterday.
She said: “The producers of The One Show received a complaint regarding Hardeep’s behaviour towards a production colleague. Hardeep was reprimanded and immediately apologised.
“He agreed to take some time away from the show to reflect on his behaviour. This leave of absence has been agreed to be six months.”
The One Show, hosted by Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley, has become one of the BBC’s flagship magazine programs, regularly pulling in six million viewers a night.
Kohli - instantly recognisable by his brightly-coloured turbans - had become one of its main attractions.
The Glasgow-born star has appeared in a number of other high-profile shows, most recently a two-part special called Famous, Rich and Homeless, where he lived on the streets for three nights to experience the life of a down and out.
Kohli - who has a 16-year-old daughter and a son, 11 - had a messy split from wife Sharmila two years ago and moved out of the family home in North London into a trendy loft apartment in the centre of the city.
Kohli’s ban only applies to The One Show and not other BBC programs, the corporation said last night. (ANI)
- BBC suspends Sikh comedian for 'acting inappropriately' - Jul 13, 2009
- BBC sacks Bleakley over romance with footie star Lampard - Jul 09, 2010
- Christine Bleakley snubs Adrian Chiles' offer to join him at GMTV - Jun 10, 2010
- ITV 'signs Christine Bleakley in $6m deal' - Jun 22, 2010
- Christine Bleakley to quit 'The One Show'? - Jan 18, 2010
- Holly Willoughby quits Dancing On Ice - Nov 21, 2011
- BBC's busty weather girl told to cover up? - Feb 19, 2011
- Strictly Come Dancing bosses turn down Alex Reid - Aug 07, 2010
- Sky Sport's presenters forced to apologise over 'sexist comments' during football match - Jan 24, 2011
- BBC admits repeating most of its programmes - Jan 11, 2012
- 'Jism 2' mystery girl revealed: It's Sunny Leone! (With Images) - Jan 19, 2012
- Complaints against BBC for showing sex, violence - Apr 27, 2012
- Me and Lampard never discuss kids: Bleakley - Dec 26, 2011
- Daybreak ratings Hit Friday Low - Oct 06, 2010
- Sherlock's second run to begin on BBC One - Aug 30, 2010
Tags: adrian chiles, born star, christine bleakley, colleague, comedian, flagship magazine, glasgow, hardeep singh, high profile, leave of absence, loft apartment, million viewers, north london, researcher, rising stars, roving reporter, six months, son 11, spokeswoman, turbans