HAMPSHIRE TV star Esther Rantzen has called for a whistleblowers’ hotline to be set up in the wake of the child abuse scandals involving Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall.

The Childline founder, pictured, said the move would enable people in the enterainment industry to raise the alarm and prevent other stars getting away with similar crimes.

It follows fears that colleagues of Savile and Hall suspected what was going on but kept quiet, allowing the abuse to continue for years.

Esther, who has a house in the New Forest, spoke out after Hall changed his plea and admitted indecently assaulting 13 girls.

The former That’s Life! presenter said: “I believe it would be helpful if Ofcom set up a whistleblowing line for all those working in broadcasting, so that abuse and bullying of all kinds could be safely reported.

“Then perhaps those who fear for their jobs if they report what they see, or suffer, would have some way of preventing the Saviles and Halls from committing these crimes.”

Lord Patten, chairman of the BBC Trust, also joined in the debate.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show he said the BBC must “provide answers” as to how Hall was able to abuse girls while working at the Corporation.