A former Page 3 model is reportedly preparing to level a series of allegations against ex-West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan in a BBC Panorama investigation scheduled to air on Monday, June 8. The woman, who has not been named, claims she visited Sullivan's £7.5 million mansion in the late 1990s while trying to establish a career in modelling. She says she was left 'shocked' by the encounter, which she initially believed would be a discussion about career opportunities.
Sullivan Steps Down from West Ham
Sullivan, 77, who built much of his fortune in adult publishing, has stepped down from his role at West Ham to focus on legal action. He has vowed to sue the BBC for libel, calling the allegations 'factually incorrect and entirely false'. In a statement, he said: 'After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me.'
Joint Investigation by BBC and The Times
The Panorama programme is part of a joint investigation by the BBC and The Times, examining several serious allegations about Sullivan's personal life. The woman alleges she was sent to meet Sullivan after compiling her first modelling portfolio. She described the incident as a moment she has never forgotten, adding that she only fully reflected on it years later while revisiting her experiences through personal writing. She now views the encounter very differently from how she understood it at the time.
Sullivan, who co-owned West Ham for 16 years, amassed his wealth through a prolific adult entertainment empire in the 1970s before moving into prime London property. He owned the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport tabloids from 1986 to 2007, selling them for £40 million. He has been West Ham's largest shareholder, with nearly 40 percent, since the death of business partner David Gold in 2023.
Woman Hopes to Encourage Others
In her account, the woman says she hopes to encourage others to speak openly about the conduct of powerful men and the treatment of women within the modelling and pornography industries. She argues that younger women entering those industries can be especially vulnerable to coercion and pressure. She also describes the emotional toll of revisiting events she says occurred more than two decades ago, writing that she experienced flashbacks after beginning to discuss her experiences publicly.
Sullivan Denies Allegations
In a statement issued on Saturday, Sullivan said the allegations were 'decades-old' and 'factually incorrect and entirely false'. He added that he had received no 'proper explanation' as to how the accusers and their claims had been 'independently verified or assessed for credibility prior to publication'. 'I believe the entire process has been fundamentally unfair and completely lacking in any due impartiality,' he said. 'The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media. I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libellous allegations. None of these allegations relate to my more than 30 years in football. I am stepping down to apply my full energy and attention on fighting these false allegations.'
West Ham said none of the claims relate to his running of the club. Sullivan will retain his stake in the club, and his sons Jack and David are said to be his first-choice replacements. A BBC spokesman said: 'BBC Panorama and The Times newspaper have been working on a joint investigation into the behaviour of David Sullivan. The investigation is due to be broadcast and published on Monday.'
