Kevin Clash, The Voice Of Elmo, Is Taking A Leave From ‘Sesame Street’ After Accusations Of Affair With Underage Teen

Less than a month after Sesame Street‘s Kevin Clash went on Brian Lehrer’s radio show as (Not Anti-Semitic) Elmo to calm the nerves of children who were displaced and frightened by Hurricane Sandy, and was rightfully called a national treasure for it, he’s now being accused of having sex with a 16-year-old boy, while he was 45. Today’s episode of life is brought to you by the letters “F” and “U” because everything is awful.

Kevin Clash — the man known as the voice of Elmo — has taken a leave of absence from Sesame Street in the wake of allegations he had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy, TMZ has learned … allegations Clash adamantly denies.

We’ve learned … Sesame Workshop lawyers recently met with a 23-year-old man who claims he and Clash began a sexual relationship 7 years ago … when he was 16 and Clash was 45.

Clash has acknowledged to TMZ he had a relationship with the young man — but insists it only took place AFTER the accuser was an adult. (Via)

Obviously, we’ll have to wait and see how this plays out, and hopefully [the accuser] is someone who’s never seen an episode of Sesame Street and doesn’t know lying is wrong, but until then, this is the worst scandal to rock The Street since Mama and Papa Bear nearly aborted Baby Bear. Hooper was PISSED.

Also, please don’t make Tickle-Me Elmo jokes. Just…don’t. “Hands up butts” one-liners, too.

(Via TMZ)