Strictly Come Dancing's Alan Dedicoat retracts comments alleging BBC allowed 'peddler' to sell drugs to staff at their desks

The voice-over veteran said in a statement he was ‘embellishing rumours’ he heard from 20 years ago

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Alan Dedicoat has apologised and retracted comments he made that suggested the BBC knowingly allowed a “drug peddler” to deliver Class A substances to employee's desks.

The BBC veteran, who has worked at the BBC for 36 years and has provided voice-over work on the National Lottery and Radio 2, made the comments in a tape recording that was obtained by The Sun.

“He only comes in because it stops him being intercepted by the police,” Alan allegedly said. “Es for the lower grades, then whoever can afford it — goes up. It’s the business we’re in.”

He reportedly claimed the drugs were considered “recreational items of interest”.

However Dedicoat later issued a statement, saying he was simply elaborating on rumours he had heard from someone else and he was not talking about the BBC.

“There is no truth to what I said. I was foolishly embellishing upon rumours I was aware of dating from 20 or 30 years ago in relation to the commercial radio sector.

“I have no personal knowledge of these matters and have absolutely no reason to believe that the activities referred to in the edited extract of this covertly-recorded conversation take place or have ever taken place at the BBC.”

The Independent has contacted Dedicoat’s publicist for comment.