Police forced to reassure victims of Savile abuse that their identities won't be revealed by detective who interviewed them and is now going on Big Brother

• .Dan Neal was an expert on child abuse but left Met last month
• .Detective was in team of 30 officers hunting attackers after Savile scandal
• .Gay father-of-one, 33, will be latest entrant to Big Brother house tonight
• .Lawyer representing victims says appearance is 'grossly irresponsible'
• .Fears of alcohol-fuelled gossip could undermine Savile investigation
• .Mr Neal reportedly told producers Yewtree was 'upsetting' and 'draining'
• .Operation Yewtree detectives are contacting victims to allay fears 
• .Met Police warn Channel 5 of 'potential risks' to live investigation

By TOM GARDNER

Fame game: Former Detective Constable Dan Neal, 33, pictured, has caused controversy after quitting the Yewtree Operation to pursue celebrity in reality show Big Brother

The police are 'frantically ringing around' victims of abuse at the hands of Jimmy Savile in a bid to reassure them their identites will not be revealed by Operation Yewtree detective now going on Big Brother, a source has said.

Detectives from Operation Yewtree were today contacting anyone who were interviewed by ex-detective constable Dan Neal who is due to enter the show tonight.

Lawyer Liz Dux, head of the abuse department of Slater&Gordon which represents 62 alleged victims of Britain's most prolific paedophile, said: 'This is extremely traumatic for some of the victims.

'They have poured their hearts out to this detective - some of them disclosing details which they haven't yet told their family.

'Now they fear that him appearing on Big Brother will mean that some highly confidential information will be revealed. 

'It's not just the fear of what might come out on nation television, it's also the fear of what this detective might be telling other housemates when the cameras are not on him which is giving them such torment. 

'We know the format of this show involves giving contestants copious amounts of alcohol, we just don't know what information he might divulge during the programme.'

She added: 'Channel 5 have been incredibly irresponsible adding this former detective to the Big Brother house.

'They must have known it was likely to cause distress for victims. But I can only imagine they thought his appearance would be good for the show's publicity. 

'Why else would he have been selected for the show if not to talk about all the salacious details of the Savile investigation?

Concerns: A Scotland Yard child abuse detective who worked on Operation Yewtree will enter the Big Brother House, probably on Friday

'When the victims gave their statements to police, they hoped for closure to an extremely distressing period of their lives. Seeing Mr Neal on Big Brother has reopened this wound. We hoped Operation Yewtree would give victims the confidence to come forward, but this publicity stunt risks undermining that work.'

Bosses at Scotland Yard are said to be at furious former detective constable's decision to seek celebrity status on the back of Britain's biggest sexual abuse investigation.

They have raised concerns his appearance on the show could compromise Operation Yewtree.

And to highlight the level of concern felt among top brass at Scotland Yard, detectives are currently calling every alleged victim who has had contact with Mr Neal to offer reassurance. 

A Met Police spokesman said: 'Victims remain our priority. 

'We are endeavouring to make contact with individuals who may have had face to face contact with the officer.'

Channel 5 refused to be drawn on criticism levelled at the programme.

A spokesman said: 'Channel 5 takes its obligations as a broadcaster seriously and, as has been made clear to New Scotland Yard, extensive procedures are in place to ensure that nothing will be broadcast during the course of Big Brother which would involve the former police officer breaching confidentiality, invading the privacy of others, committing libel or a contempt of Court.'

Revealed: The officer will be inside the new Big Brother house (pictured), which has been unveiled as producers gear up for this summer's new series

Until recently, the gay father-of-one, 33, had been hunting celebrities who may also have carried out sex attacks, either with the help of paedophile Savile or working alone.

But he is expected to be one of the show's most controversial contestants when he enters the house tonight.

'I think there will be some concern within the force', he told the Daily Express.

Mr Neal, from Ongar, Essex, said that he did not want to jeopardise a case he had worked on during the past eight months, adding: 'I can't talk about the content of the investigation but there may be a few concerned faces within my old department.'

Paedophile: Operation Yewtree was launched after Jimmy Savile's decades of sexual abuse were uncovered, which the officer reportedly told BB producers was 'upsetting' and 'draining'

A Met Police spokesman said: 'We are aware of reports concerning the proposed media appearance of a former detective constable.

'We've been in contact with Channel 5 and made them fully aware of potential risks and their responsibility to live investigations.

'All officers joining and leaving the Met are required to sign the Official Secrets Act.'

It is unclear if the former detective applied to be a contestant on the reality TV show while working for the Metropolitan Police.

But it is understood Mr Neal quit his job last month and auditions for the reality show opened in January.

Arrested stars include Jim Davidson, Rolf Harris, DJ Dave Lee Travis, Freddie Starr, and Gary Glitter. They all deny the allegations.

Big Brother 2013 launches tonight on Channel 5 with a 'secrets and lies' theme, which includes a prison inside the house.

His decision to become a reality star will shock Scotland Yard and producers have said the child abuse expert has told them how life working on Yewtree and its 400 lines of inquiry was 'upsetting' and 'draining'.

A show insider said the officer knows the confidential nature of his work but understands 'it is only natural' that other contestants will try to get 'as much gossip as possible' about the investigation.

Mr Neal also spoke about the hours he spent sifting through evidence linked to Savile's decades of sexual abuse.

He also said he worked in a specialist team of 30 officers and was pleased they had been able to make a difference to victims.

'The housemate knows they are going to hit the headlines over this. Leaving the police force to go into the Big Brother house is a massive move,' a show insider told the Daily Star.

'Their former bosses are going to be shocked about their decision to join the show and naturally will be worried about what might be said inside the house.

'This person has seen a lot of bad things while working on Operation Yewtree. They will know what can and can’t be said inside the house but it’s only natural for their housemates to want to try to get as much gossip as possible.'

Channel 5 sought to allay fears something broadcast on Big Brother could compromise the on-going investigation.

A spokesman said: 'Extensive procedures are in place to ensure nothing will be broadcast with which would involve the former police officer breaching confidentiality, committing libel or a contempt of court.'

New pictures released this week revealed the house the new set of contestants will live in for the duration of this year's show.

Ready for action: The theme this year is Secret & Lies and the house is decked out with numerous secret rooms - including a prison

Not long now: This year will see Emma Willis take over the main hosting duties to replace Brian Dowling, but will the police officer keep quiet about his work at the Met

Not only have producers added an outdoor shower, no doubt in the hope to get some steamy viewing action, but they've also included a snug treehouse in the garden.

Its addition is no doubt put in place in a bid to encourage housemates to get some privacy away from the main building.

Other features include an outside shower, a 'prison' for any bad behaving contestants and an electricity generating bike in the bedroom.

Suspects: PR guru Max Clifford, left, and comedian Jim Davidson, right, are among those arrested in the Operation

Arrests: Comedian Jimmy Tarbuck and Australian entertainer Rolf Harris have also been held by Yewtree