BBC suspends Brit Sikh star over sex pest claims

London, July 12 (ANI): The BBC has suspended Brit Sikh Hardeep Singh Kohli, the star of the One Show, after he was accused of sexually pestering a female researcher.

According to reports, furious Beeb bosses have axed the comedian from his roving reporter role on the show for six months.

The female researcher lodged her complaint about Harpreet's behaviour two months ago.

Kohli, 39, who had been regarded as one of the BBC's rising stars, was hauled in front of bosses who demanded that he apologise to the woman.

A spokeswoman confirmed his removal from the BBC1 show yesterday.

She said: "The producers of The One Show received a complaint regarding Hardeep's behaviour towards a production colleague. Hardeep was reprimanded and immediately apologised.

"He agreed to take some time away from the show to reflect on his behaviour. This leave of absence has been agreed to be six months."

The One Show, hosted by Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley, has become one of the BBC's flagship magazine programs, regularly pulling in six million viewers a night.

Kohli - instantly recognisable by his brightly-coloured turbans - had become one of its main attractions.

The Glasgow-born star has appeared in a number of other high-profile shows, most recently a two-part special called Famous, Rich and Homeless, where he lived on the streets for three nights to experience the life of a down and out.

Kohli - who has a 16-year-old daughter and a son, 11 - had a messy split from wife Sharmila two years ago and moved out of the family home in North London into a trendy loft apartment in the centre of the city.

Kohli's ban only applies to The One Show and not other BBC programs, the corporation said last night. (ANI)