BBC allowing Aled to return after apology
SONGS of Praise presenter Aled Jones will return to the BBC after apologising for his ‘distressing’ behaviour.
The 47-year-old has not been on TV or radio since being accused in November of sexual harassment by a former female colleague.
Corporation bosses said he would return ‘in the coming weeks’ as their investigation has finished.
The married father of two issued an 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 allegations against Jones, he admitted he was ‘occasionally juvenile’ but strongly denied 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 voluntarily stepped down from the Corporation during its investigation.
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.’
Yesterday, a BBC spokesman confirmed Jones would return to his television and radio roles in the coming weeks.