Photo gallery: Voice of Elmo resigns as new sex allegations arise
This Jan 24, 2011 file photo shows Sesame Street muppet Elmo posing for a portrait with the assistance of puppeteer Kevin Clash in the Fender Music Lodge during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival to promote the documentary Being Elmo in Park City, Utah. -- PHOTO: AP
In this Jan 24, 2011 file photo, Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash poses with the Sesame Street muppet in the Fender Music Lodge during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Sesame Workshop says Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash has resigned from Sesame Street in the wake of allegations that he had sex with an under-aged youth. -- PHOTO: AP
Mr Cecil Singleton, (right), listens as his lawyer Jeff Herman, (left), speaks during a press conference on Tuesday, Nov 20, 2012 in New York. Mr Singleton, 24, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Kevin Clash, the voice of Sesame Street's "Elmo" character, accusing Clash of engaging in sexual behaviour with him over a two-week period while he was underage. -- PHOTO: AP
Mr Cecil Singleton, (left), arrives with his lawyer Jeff Herman for a press conference on Tuesday, Nov 20, 2012 in New York. Mr Singleton, 24, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Kevin Clash, the voice of Sesame Street's Elmo character, accusing Clash of engaging in sexual behaviour with him over a two-week period while he was underage. -- PHOTO: AP
In this Dec 4, 2011 file photo, Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash arrives with the Sesame Street muppet at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the Kennedy Center Honors gala performance in Washington. -- PHOTO: AP
An Elmo muppet is seen on the Sesame Street float during the 86th Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in New York on Nov 22, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Kevin Clash, the longtime voice and puppeteer behind Sesame Street’s Elmo character, has resigned after a new allegation was made that he had underage sexual relationships.
Announcing the decision with what he called a “very heavy heart,” Clash said in a statement, “Personal matters have diverted attention away from the important work Sesame Street is doing and I cannot allow it to go on any longer. I am deeply sorry to be leaving and am looking forward to resolving these personal matters privately.”












