BBC faces calls to investigate as resurfaced clip of Chris Moyles talking about teenage Charlotte Church prompts outrage

Olivia Gantzer
Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:41:33 +0000

A video clip featuring radio presenter Chris Moyles making sexual remarks about Charlotte Church when she was just 15 years old has spread rapidly across social media, with viewers demanding the BBC investigate the incident.

The footage originates from a 2002 live broadcast on Radio One, during which Moyles, then 27, marked the young Welsh soprano's upcoming 16th birthday by declaring his intention to take her virginity.

The broadcasting standards commission condemned Moyles for the remarks at the time they were made.

The clip has resurfaced following recent events involving Scott Mills, who was dismissed from the BBC last month amid accusations of serious sexual assault against a minor.

Five years after the original broadcast, Ms Church confronted Moyles directly when he appeared as a guest on her Channel 4 programme in 2007.

When the host asked him to explain his behaviour, Mr Moyles acknowledged: "Well, you were under 16, yeah 15. But you were gonna be 16 and I offered to take your virginity."

As audience laughter filled the studio, Ms Church pressed him further on his exact words.

The DJ had stated he wished to "lead her through the forest of sexuality now that she had reached 16," a remark he subsequently characterised as a "sweet" proposal.

One viewer described the exchange as "a really tough watch," noting that Church "exposed him and no one listened."

Social media users have expressed shock that the incident appeared to pass without significant repercussions for Moyles' career.

"How did this pass without consequences?" one person questioned, while another described the footage as "gross" and expressed curiosity about whether audience reactions were genuine or pre-recorded laughter.

Several commenters highlighted their discomfort at how casually Mr Moyles discussed the matter, with one noting: "The worrying part is that he's talking about it so openly like it's perfectly normal."

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Others have questioned why the presenter has not faced scrutiny, particularly given that licence fee money funded the broadcaster during his tenure.

Not all responses have been critical, however, with some arguing it represented "different times."

Another asked: "How does Charlotte church feel about his comments? Because it's only hers that should really matter, this isn't enough for someone to be cancelled in my opinion."

Mr Moyles worked at the BBC from 1997 to 2012 and currently presents on Radio X, where his programme attracts over one million weekly listeners.

The BBC has sought to distance itself from the controversy, with a spokesperson telling GB News: "Chris Moyles hasn't worked at the BBC for more than 14 years now.

"However, there are no circumstances in which similar language or behaviour would be tolerated by the BBC today."

Ms Church herself reflected on the episode during a 2023 interview with Kathy Burke for the Channel 4 documentary Growing Up.

"It wasn't good, but at least it was out in the open," the singer said. "That lads, lads, lads culture was dominant. It was very simplistic, it was unashamed, it was just out there and everybody knew what it was.

"But now it's become more underground, and more dangerous."