Aled back on BBC after apology for ‘distress’
SONGS of Praise presenter Aled Jones will return to the BBC after apologising for his ‘distressing’ past behaviour, it was announced yesterday.
The 47-year- old has not featured on television or radio since being accused in November of sexual harassment by a former female colleague.
Corporation bosses said he will return ‘ in the coming weeks’ as their investigation has finished.
The married father- of-two issued a grovelling apology in a statement from his spokesman. ‘Aled was devastated to learn that some of his past behaviour outside the BBC had caused distress to others,’ it said.
‘He deeply regrets this behaviour and is very sorry for the hurt it has caused. Aled has given his assurance that it will never be repeated. Aled will now continue with his roles at the BBC.’
It is understood that the Corporation is also examining another 24 cases against other people involving claims of sexual misconduct. At the time of the initial allegations against Jones, he admitted he was ‘ occasionally juvenile’ but strongly denied any inappropriate contact.
Details of the claims dating back more than a decade against the former choirboy have not been made public.
But it is thought they relate to accusations that inappropriate messages were sent to a colleague. Welsh-born Jones had voluntarily stepped down from the Corporation during its investigation.
He has not featured since hosting his BBC Radio Wales show last October and last presented Songs of Praise from the Welsh town of Pontypridd.
His other television work includes Daybreak, Escape To The Country and Cash In The Attic.
Jones lives with his wife of 17 years, Claire Fossett, in a £1.8million house in south-west London with their children, child actress Emilia, 15, and Lucas, 12. After the allegations emerged, his mother-in-law Elaine Fossett, 74, said: ‘Aled is as much capable of sexual harassment as Mother Teresa.
‘A nicer, nicer guy you couldn’t wish to meet. He is totally incapable of sexual harassment. I am just so distraught for my family. They are going through hell and most undeservedly so.’
Yesterday a BBC spokesman confirmed Jones will return to his television and radio roles in the coming weeks.
The spokesman said: ‘As Aled has previously confirmed, over recent weeks the BBC has been considering complaints about his past behaviour. During this period, Aled has not been presenting on the BBC.
‘While the behaviour under review was not related to his work with the BBC, Aled recognises it was inappropriate and caused real distress to others.
‘He has apologised for this and assured the BBC that there will be no repeat of this behaviour in future.’