The BBC says it is taking accusations that presenter Ashley Cain used explicit sexual and misogynistic language to describe women online in historical social media posts “very seriously”.
The Press Association understands that the broadcaster was unaware of the remarks prior to an investigation led by The Guardian which claimed the TV personality frequently referred to women on X, formerly Twitter, using abusive terms and sexualised language, including “slags”, “sluts” and “psychos”.
A BBC spokesperson said: “We are very clear we expect the highest standards of behaviour from everyone who works with or for the BBC.
“When allegations are brought to our attention we take them seriously. We will consider this information carefully and do not intend to comment further at this stage.”
The former Coventry City football player, 35, is best known for fronting the BBC Three documentary series Ashley Cain: Into The Danger Zone where he explores issues affecting young men born into a life of criminality.
The newspaper reported on Wednesday that before Cain worked for the national broadcaster he was a prolific user of the social media platform and would make jokes about hitting women.
In 2014, in response to a since-deleted tweet he perceived to be homophobic, Cain reportedly told a woman online that she should “go and choke on a cock you slut”.
Cain’s X account appears to have been removed from the platform.
PA understands that the broadcaster was not aware of the social media posts, which the BBC sees as “deplorable”.
The broadcaster is understood to have asked the independent production companies that hired Cain to review the social media checks conducted at the time.
Cain appeared last year on the BBC’s spin off cooking programme, Celebrity MasterChef.
Transmission details of Into The Danger Zone series two is yet to be announced.
