Disgraced TV star Stuart Hall has been accused of avoiding a payout to his child abuse victims by signing over his £1.2 million house to wife, it has been reported.
Hall made the transfer in February, just weeks before he admitted indecently assaulting 13 girls in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
A solicitor representing some of Hall's victims labelled the move "cynical".
The former BBC It's A Knockout Star told the Daily Telegraph that he gave his wife, Hazel, full ownership of their home in Cheshire because he has a heart defect.
"I have got an extreme heart condition and at any moment I'm liable to pop off," he said.
Asked whether he would give his victims compensation, he said: "That's lawyer talk."
Victims of the shamed veteran broadcaster have instructed Alan Collins, a partner at law firm Pannone and a specialist in sexual abuse cases, to pursue civil action in relation to injuries and harm suffered.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph last night he said: "It's quite a common problem in cases like this, they put an asset in another person's name or even overseas.
"It is a cynical move, it shows contempt for the victims.
"Yesterday his barrister was saying he is very sorry, but words are cheap."
Hall, who now faces jail, was described as an ''opportunistic predator'' by Nazir Afzal, chief crown prosecutor for the North West, after he appeared at Preston Crown Court on Thursday.
Recorder of Preston Judge Anthony Russell QC granted him bail on condition of residence at his home address and no unsupervised contact with children.