The award-winning BBC radio presenter Nigel Wrench, who was accused of raping a man following a New Year’s party on the first day of last year, was cleared today by a jury at the Old Bailey.

Mr Wrench, 47, a presenter on Radio 4’s PM programme, admitted snorting cocaine with the man, who is now 27, at a party in south London before inviting him back to his flat to view his art collection.

The younger man claimed that he had blacked out after taking a gulp of champagne Mr Wrench had given him, and that he had woken later that day to find himself being punched and forced to perform a sex act.

Mr Wrench claimed the two had engaged in “boisterous horseplay” and consensual sex, which the other man seemed to enjoy.

Sarah Forshaw, defending Mr Wrench, told jurors that though they may have found some of what they heard “thoroughly unpleasant” and “deeply unattractive”, they should put aside such feelings and judge the case on the facts.

After the verdict was delivered, the presenter smiled and hugged friends in the court room, before leaving, declining to make a comment to waiting reporters.

His alleged victim, who now works as a personal assistant, had told the court that he had agreed to accompany the presenter back to his flat in Haringey, north London, to see an Andy Warhol painting. He claimed Mr Wrench had told him: “Don’t worry, it’s not for sex.”

Mr Wrench told jurors that he had believed sex was at least “on the agenda” after the man agreed to come home with him. Back at the flat he said they drank Taittinger champagne from Waterford crystal flutes before starting to kiss.

“I said to him ’Let’s go to bed’. He smiled and said 'yes',” he said.

Mr Wrench said he never did anything that the alleged victim had not agreed to, and would have stopped if asked.

“The last thing - that is the irony of the situation, isn’t it? - I would have done is to harm him.”

He told the court he had never made a secret about being gay and had presented a lesbian and gay radio programme, Out This Week, on Radio Five Live. He had also been open about the fact that he was HIV positive.

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