Jared Leto faces calls to cancel UK concerts amid sexual misconduct allegations

Jared Leto is facing calls for his upcoming UK concerts with Thirty Seconds to Mars to be cancelled after a BBC investigation reported allegations of sexual misconduct involving several women.

Women's safety campaigners have raised concerns about the band's planned performances at London's The O2 and Manchester's Co Op Live in April 2027. The End Violence Against Women Coalition and Women's Aid have urged organisers to reconsider the events following allegations made against the musician and actor.

The BBC investigation, published before the latest calls from campaigners, reported accounts from women who accused Leto of behaviour including sexual assault and grooming. The allegations concern incidents said to have taken place during the 2000s and 2010s, when some of the women were teenagers and Leto was in his 30s and 40s.

Leto, now 54, strongly denies the allegations.

Following publication of the BBC's investigation, a statement released by Leto's representatives said he had never sexually assaulted anyone and described the claims as "absolutely and categorically false". The BBC had previously contacted Leto about the allegations but said he had not responded before the original report was published.

Women's Aid told BBC Newsbeat that it was troubling that the UK concerts remained scheduled following the allegations. The organisation said organisers should prioritise safety and avoid giving a platform to people accused of serious misconduct.

Janaya Walker, interim director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, also criticised the continued sale of tickets for the two arena performances. She said the situation could be particularly distressing for victims and survivors of violence against women and girls who might see the allegations reported while the concerts continue to be promoted.

The BBC investigation also included accounts from former members of Leto's wider working environment. Two men who worked with Thirty Seconds to Mars recalled concerns about the way the singer allegedly interacted with teenage girls.

One former crew member alleged that staff were instructed to invite young girls backstage after they had joined Leto on stage. Another recalled occasions when teenage girls were allegedly visiting a property where the band was working.

One woman interviewed by the BBC, identified as Alex, described an encounter connected to a Thirty Seconds to Mars concert at London's O2 arena in 2013. She said she was 19 at the time and claimed she told Leto she was 17 when they met. According to her account, Leto responded with a comment about age.

Alex also described a later hotel encounter and alleged that she felt the situation had been arranged in advance. Her account is among those examined in the BBC's wider investigation.

In total, the BBC documentary Jared Leto: Hollywood's Dark Secret featured accounts from 10 women, with nine speaking publicly about their experiences for the first time, according to the broadcaster.

The controversy arrives as Thirty Seconds to Mars remains an established arena act. Founded by Jared Leto and his brother Shannon Leto in the late 1990s, the band became known internationally for songs including "The Kill", "This Is War" and "Kings and Queens".

For now, the April UK concerts remain scheduled. The campaigners' calls do not amount to a cancellation, and there has been no announcement that the performances will be removed from the calendar.