Songs of Praise star Aled Jones is dropped from Al Murray's ITV Christmas show amid sexual harassment claims

Jones was due to star in Make Christmas Great Again hosted by Al Murray
ITV have dropped Jones from the show, following claims of sexual harassment where he is alleged to have sent inappropriate texts to a female colleague
The 46-year-old has not been seen on the BBC since October
The BBC has not commented on the singer's future at the broadcaster

Published: 15:17 GMT, 17 December 2017 | Updated: 08:27 GMT, 18 December 2017

e-mail

290

View
comments

Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones has been dropped from Al Murray's ITV Christmas show among claims the star sexually harassed a colleague.

The former chorister was due to star in Make Christmas Great Again hosted by Al Murray's character the Pub Landlord.

The singer hasn't been on air since October, when a female colleague alleged he had sent her inappropriate messages

However, the singer has been quietly cut from the programme which airs on December 22.

The 46-year-old has been off the BBC since October when he was accused of sending inappropriate messages to a female colleague.

The BBC have also confirmed that the married father-of-two won't appear in The Big Sing. The broadcaster has also cancelled an episode of Hairy Bikers' which Mr Jones was set to appear on.

The snowman singer has said he was 'deeply sorry' for his 'juvenile' behaviour but denied any inappropriate conduct.

Aled Jones with Lorraine Kelly hosting Daybreak in 2013, the singer and presenter has not been on TV since October

The former child star was spotted for the first time outside his home in South West London last month. He put on a helmet as he was picked up by a rider

In a statement a spokesman said: 'Aled voluntarily agreed not to go on the BBC while the matter is investigated.

'While he accepts his behaviour over a decade ago was occasionally juvenile, he never intended to harass or distress and he strongly denies any inappropriate contact.'

The singer who shot to fame aged 12 lives in a £1.8million house in South West London with his wide Claire Fosset, 41, and their two teenage children.

His 15-year-old daughter Emilia has followed in her father's footsteps to pursue a TV career, and has starred in Doctor Who, Utopia and Wolf Hall.

His son, Lucas, shares a duet with his father on his new album One Voice: Believe.

Jones met his wife, Claire, in Blackpool while starring in the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Jones and his wife Claire Fossett pictured at their wedding in 2001

Jones' mother-in-law, Elaine Fossett, 74, said last month that Jones 'is as capable of sexual harassment as Mother Theresa' and that the claims were 'utterly appalling'.

It comes after the news that the BBC may ban Christmas classic Walking In The Air this year, which Jones released aged 14.

The song was the theme tune for for festive favourite The Snowman in 1982, but this Christmas it may face a ban by the BBC, according to the Sunday Express.

The singer's Christmas classic could be banned by the BBC as he faces allegations of inappropriate behaviour from a female colleague

The singer, who has sold more than six million albums, has in the past complained about his 'squeaky clean' image, adding: 'I’m really just a normal bloke.'

Jones was appointed MBE in 2013 and by the age of 16 had performed in front of the Pope, the Queen and Princess Diana.

The BBC has not commented on the future of the singer or the allegations he faces.