BBC reverses decision on hosting James Veitch's Radio 4 show
- James Veitch's Contractual Obligation has been removed from BBC Sounds
- The BBC initially retained the series online after allegations of sexual assault against Veitch emerged
- However, they now confirm "we have removed James Veitch's Radio 4 series"
The BBC has reversed its decision to continue hosting James Veitch's Contractual Obligation on BBC Sounds, after the stand-up comic was accused of multiple rapes and sexual assaults.
The corporation had initially retained the comic's Radio 4 series, following the testimony of several women published in The Hollywood Reporter on 1st September, telling British Comedy Guide: "The series is online as part of our archive of radio programming."
However, BCG understands that Contractual Obligation was removed shortly afterwards, in early September.
A BBC spokesperson told this website: "We have removed James Veitch's Radio 4 series so it is not available online. We are not currently working with him and have no plans for any new programmes."
A number of women who studied at the Sarah Lawrence University in New York at the same time as the English comic have alleged that Veitch attacked them between 2008 and 2010.
The BBC's decision follows Veitch being dropped by his US agency, WME, his new comedy special being taken off the HBO Max streaming platform, and his reportedly being edited out of a series he was hosting for short-form streaming service Quibi.
The comedian, who made three series of Contractual Obligation in the last two years, denies the allegations. The women had shared their stories on Facebook, and said they alerted Team Coco, Conan O'Brien's production company, which shot the HBO special.
HBO Max told The Hollywood Reporter: "We were deeply disturbed to learn of these allegations of unacceptable behaviour by James Veitch and will be removing the special from our platform for now."
Team Coco added that they took the allegations "very seriously" and supported HBO Max's decision.
Veitch came to prominence for his shows engaging in correspondence with email scammers, culminating in a 2016 TED Talk that has attracted almost 62 million views.
Last year he hosted BAFTA's prestigious Britannia Awards in Los Angeles. He has deleted his Twitter account since the accusations became public.