BBC Bargain Hunt star Christina Trevanion was overcome by emotion as she shared a “deeply distressing” and concerning ordeal she has been through.
The auctioneer and presenter normally fronts BBC favourite Bargain Hunt with a smile, but appeared on Tuesday’s Morning Live to share her serious story after being embroiled in a series of “deepfake” clips and images.
The 43-year-old mother-of-two took part in the candid conversation to raise awareness of the worrying and growing issue, which sees AI being used to place people’s faces in often pornographic and explicit material.
Morning Live host Gethin Jones introduced the sensitive subject, telling viewers: “Here at Morning Live we don’t shy away from talking about difficult topics, and today we’re looking at the rise of deepfakes.
Christina Trevanion has been a victim of deepfake images
BBC
“This is where a person’s image is used, often without their consent, to make pictures or videos.”
Co-host Gaby Roslin elaborated: “And in some instances, it’s used to make explicit or pornographic material.
“One person who was targeted is BBC presenter and antiques expert, Christina Trevanion.
“She’s speaking out for the first time about the damaging effect this has had on her and her family, and finds out what’s being done to stop it.”
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Christina Trevanion is best-known for her role on BBC’s Bargain Hunt
BBC
“My name is Christina Trevanion. I’m an auctioneer, a wife, mother and a TV presenter – meaning I’m used to living life in the public eye,” she began.
The antiques expert continued: “Often, the reaction from the public has been kind and sweet and supportive.
But I would say probably over the last couple of years, there has been a noticeable shift, and at times it can be quite intrusive and upsetting.
“Last September, I discovered that my image had been used to create phony, explicit videos known as deepfake porn.
“I was sent a very long list of sensitive URLs, where my head had been AI’d onto pornographic videos and images.”
Touching on the horrific realisation, she explained: “It was a sense of… this is unreal, this can’t be happening.
“Then, as it sort of sunk in, it was… It was deeply distressing.” A tearful Trevanion took a pause as the lasting impact of the ordeal became clear.
“Yeah, really distressing,” she went on, adding: “And I felt… Naïve and stupid.”
Still emotional, the presenter bravely continued: “Utterly violated in every single way,” before apologising for breaking down in tears.
Christina Trevanion shared details of the ordeal she faced
BBC
The programme explained how it is an offence to share or threaten to share intimate images, including Deepfakes, under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. However, it is currently not illegal to create such images.
“How can we end up in pornographic films without our knowledge and without our consent?” a baffled Trevanion asked.
“And it not be illegal? And not only is it not illegal to create the images, the traffic to websites that allow you to create that content is on the rise.”
The presenter chatted to another victim of deepfake porn, highlighting how it isn’t just women in the public eye who become targets.