SPRINGWATCH badger Gary Degan is a dole cheat who is claiming thousands of pounds in benefits while appearing on the hit television show.
The reality television star told programme producers he was an unemployed dancer when he auditioned for his role in the BBC2 show,
which brings with it a £25,000 appearance fee.
In fact Degan runs his own window cleaning round while also making multiple benefits claims to support three different sows and 18 badger cubs.
Debby Cankers, executive producer on the show, said she was shocked to learn that Degan was a serial womaniser and dole cheat running a lucrative cash-in-hand business on the side.
She said: "We never even knew badgers could climb ladders, never mind hold a chamois leather and a bucket.”
Roger Morton, chief investigator for the local Department of Social Security, said: "Maybe he thought none of us would see him on the show because most of his stuff goes out late at night."
The BBC last night said it was reviewing the badger’s position on the show although Degan himself denied any wrongdoing saying his £25,000 fee was to cover 'expenses' and insisted: "I've never been up a ladder in his life."
But Alice Pont, 83, confirmed that Degan had been doing her windows every four weeks for the last two years.
"I would recognise that face anywhere. He does a great job too. No smearing."
