Radio 5 Live presenter Tony Livesey has left the station after 16 years at the mic, the corporation has confirmed.
The Burnley-born host stepped back from his weekday late night talk show in June, following allegations made against his former newspaper boss David Sullivan.
He had previously worked as editor-in-chief of Sullivan’s Daily and Sunday Sport publications.
Several women have accused Sullivan, a billionaire businessman and West Ham co-owner, of abusing his power and preying on them for sex, in some cases when they were teenagers. Sullivan has strongly denied the allegations.
READ MORE: Legendary rugby commentary immortalised in Yorkshire lift
The claims against Sullivan were made in a joint investigation by the Times and BBC Panorama.
Livesey had previously asked to take a break from presenting his regular show while the issues raised by the investigation were being examined, although he “categorically” denied any involvement with Sullivan’s alleged abuse.
One alleged victim said that Livesey had arranged a meeting between her and Sullivan in 1999.
Livesey said he had “no recollection” of introducing the young woman to Sullivan and that it was “not part of his job” to do so.
He added that he had “great sympathy for a woman who may have become a victim,” but rejected any suggestion that he had played “any role whatsoever in that scenario” and said he found the allegation abhorrent.
In an email sent to 5 Live staff on Monday morning, the station’s controller Heidi Dawson said he had now decided to leave.
“Tony has asked me to pass on his heartfelt thanks to the brilliant colleagues at 5 Live who he has had the pleasure of working with over the years,” she wrote.
“I know many of you have also really enjoyed working with Tony, and we wish him well for all his future endeavours.”
The award-winning presenter worked for the BBC from 2006 – the same year he left Sullivan’s newspapers – appearing on 5 Live from 2010 onwards, including a successful stint hosting its drivetime show.
He won radio awards including ARIAs and APAs for his reporting on how it feels to lose your mother as a child, and an ARIAS gold award after he was asked by the late Dame Deborah James to conduct her final interview.
His topical three-hour programme was broadcast on 5 Live from Monday to Thursday, featuring interviews and phone calls from listeners.
Tony Livesey image courtesy BBC
