Who is Tim Westwood? Eminem connection and more explored as ex-BBC DJ charged with rapes and sexual assault

Tim Westwood, an experienced British DJ and ex-BBC Radio 1 host, has been charged with several sexual offenses dating back more than three decades, according to BBC.

The Metropolitan Police stated that the 68-year-old has been charged with four counts of rape, nine counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault against seven women that took place from 1983 up until 2016. Westwood, a prominent figure in the UK's hip-hop scene, is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on November 10, 2025.

Timothy Westwood, who was born in 1967, emerged in the late 1980s and 90s to become one of British hip-hop’s most influential characters. The son of Bill Westwood, a former Anglican Bishop, started in pirate radio before becoming part of the BBC in the early 90s and hosting The Rap Show on Radio 1.

I don't know about yall but I tend to always bump this Eminem/Tim Westwood TV freestyle video whenever it pops up on Youtube recommended.... Straight 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/LcFtUkBqYq

— khadija (@lina_khadija_) April 23, 2025

Westwood's link to Eminem is perhaps one of the highlights of his career. The DJ hosted many extraordinary freestyles with Eminem and the late Proof of D12, and even released a previously unexplored session from 1999 in 2019.

These appearances helped establish Westwood as a major player in hip-hop culture worldwide and gave the artist an opportunity to be known on an international level.

During interviews, Westwood has frequently referred to Eminem as one of the biggest artists to have ever played in the UK, describing him as "a generational voice who resonated deeply with British fans." He often underlined Eminem's huge popularity and continued influence within the UK music industry.

Tim Westwood's recent allegations and criminal charges

Tim Westwood played a key role in the promotion of hip-hop in the UK, at a time when the genre had very little drag in the mainstream.

After working for two decades within the BBC, Westwood left in 2013 and joined Capital Xtra where he continued to promote radio shows and also via a YouTube channel, Tim Westwood TV, which now has over 1 million subscribers and more than 500 million views.

Westwood's reputation began to implode in 2022, when a joint BBC and Guardian investigation uncovered numerous allegations relating to his sexual harassment behavior.

The report included testimony from 18 women who accused him of sexual misconduct and unwanted sexual contact between the 1980s and 2010s. All of the women were Black. In their testimonies, several of the women described Westwood claiming to be a music industry executive and approaching them under the pretense of professional opportunities.

Tim Westwood has been charged with four counts of rape, nine counts of indecent assault and
two counts of sexual assault.

The charges relate to seven different.

He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 11 November. pic.twitter.com/pKBj9M5Bxx

— Mukhtar (@I_amMukhtar) October 9, 2025

There was subsequent investigation by an independent inquiry published in early 2025, led by barrister Gemma White KC, which revealed more allegations including inappropriate behavior toward minors. Westwood asserted he did nothing wrong and he told his attorneys he had no sexual interest in minors and posed no danger to women.

As the case moves forward, the Crown Prosecution Service has invited the public to comment in order to keep the trial as fair as possible. Whatever the outcome, the allegations against Tim Westwood have affected British music and initiated broader discussions about responsibility and authority in the industry.