A resurfaced clip of Chris Moyles has ignited a wave of outrage, with viewers demanding answers from the BBC after the broadcaster was already rocked by controversy surrounding Scott Mills.
The footage, dating back to 2002, shows Moyles — then 27 — making a shocking on-air remark about teenage singing star Charlotte Church as she approached her 16th birthday. During a live broadcast on Radio One, he openly declared that he wanted to take her virginity — a comment that has now resurfaced online and stunned a new generation of viewers.
Five years later, the moment came back to haunt him when he appeared on The Charlotte Church Show in 2007. Confronted directly by Church, Moyles attempted to explain himself, admitting: “Well, you were under 16, yeah 15. But you were gonna be 16 and I offered to take your virginity.”
Pressed further on what he had actually said at the time, he recalled telling listeners he wanted to “lead her through the forest of sexuality now that she had reached 16” — later insisting the remark had been intended as a “sweet” gesture, prompting laughter from the audience.
But the clip has not aged well.
At the time, the UK’s broadcasting standards body condemned the comment. Now, nearly two decades later, it has resurfaced in the wake of the fallout involving Scott Mills, whose recent departure from the BBC has reignited debate about past behaviour within the industry.
Viewers reacting to the footage online described it as “a really tough watch,” with some arguing that Church had effectively called out the behaviour years ago — only for it to be dismissed at the time. Others questioned why such incidents were not more thoroughly addressed, with one person remarking that it raised serious concerns about what had been allowed to pass unchecked.
In a 2023 documentary interview, Church reflected on the moment with striking honesty, saying it “wasn’t good, but at least it was out in the open.” She went on to describe the era as dominated by a “lads, lads, lads culture” — one that was blatant and unapologetic, but which she believes has since become “more underground, and more dangerous.”
The BBC has responded by noting that Moyles has not worked for the corporation for over 14 years, while stressing that such language or behaviour would not be tolerated today. A spokesperson reiterated that the organisation takes its duty of care seriously and adheres strictly to editorial guidelines.
Meanwhile, Moyles — now hosting a show on Radio X — has yet to publicly respond to the renewed backlash, as pressure mounts for accountability over comments that many say should never have been brushed aside in the first place.
