Elmo Accuser Recants Story In Sex Case

The 23-year-old who accused the actor who voices Sesame Street's Elmo of sexual assault has recanted his story. Kevin Clash, who has voiced the iconic character for nearly 30 years, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after a former lover claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Clash that began when the lover was a minor. Now, the accuser says different.

The unidentified man released a statement through his representatives: "He wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship. He will have no further comment on the matter."

Clash said he was relieved and will not discuss the matter further. Clash immediately denied the charges when they were brought to light earlier this week, and Sesame Workshop stood behind him. He released a statement Monday:

"I am a gay man. I have never been ashamed of this or tried to hide it but felt it was a personal and private matter. I had a relationship with the accuser. It was between two consenting adults, and I am deeply saddened that he is trying to characterize it as something other than what it was."