At the moment this looks like an elderly vain immoral bloke who is fishing all the time for encounters with very young men, and in the case that first came to light, with a 17 year old with the potential of a crime being committed if photos were involved. And there are probably more weird random encounters to emerge. I think that Popbitch article from 2019 was definitely about him. I knew that when I first read it in 2019, it fit with the glow up. My gaydar was pinging when I looked at his Instagram when that blind came out. I have a feeling that a quite a few people, journalists (colleagues?) were aware of the rumours.
He must have known there was a fair chance this would be revealed - he didn’t hide his name/identity. He was somewhat reckless, and arrogant, and had a feeling that he was untouchable. He probably knows how the establishment works, he is part of it, has friends in high places, the BBC top brass love him (or did), and thought that any stories could be suppressed or he could use his power to threaten - which has already been demonstrated. The fact that the 17 year old has expensive lawyers is a case in point, he thought that would be enough to head off the story.
His need for a thrill outweighed his need to be seen as the nation’s foremost and most dependable news giver. The tabloids may have been waiting for this to break at some point, manna from heaven when the original boy’s parents decided to contact The Sun after being fobbed off by the BBC.
His public persona was a complete front. His wife, did she know? Do they have an arrangement? Even if you did turn a blind eye, the ages of the contacts must give you pause for thought. Think back to when you were 17, were you willing and mature enough to find the thought of a sexual relationship with a 60 year old, a good thing or a yuck think. He has used his fame as the BBC’s no 1 broadcaster to lure people in.
If he is rocking silently in his room, it’s not because he is feeling ashamed in any way, it’s because he has been found out and his reputation, and probably his job, are now over. Sex, crack (the photo and the drugs), the immature encounters…couldn’t get more undignified for him. His own family are also massively damaged by his need for a thrill. He has managed to engage spendy lawyers for him and the 17 year old, so he is still trying to control things, but failing miserably. It would be best for him to just resign now. It’s over.