(ECNS) -- A Chinese netizen has helped expose a host apparently taking drugs on livestream platform Douyu TV, Beijing Times reported.
Screenshots provided by the netizen showed that the male host was holding a piece of paper in his left hand and a straw-shaped object close to his nose in front of 300,000 audience members.
This led to heated debate and police involvement. "Taking drugs on live TV has a bad influence on people," netizens said.
On Oct. 26, the host, surnamed Huang, apologized for his behavior on Weibo, claiming the action was meant to add effect to his live streaming progam. Calling himself a model, he said that to keep fit he never smokes, and his main priority is to entertain the audience.
Huang was verified on Weibo as coming third in the 2010 Shanghai International Model Runway competition, while his account on Douyu has been banned.
To prove his innocence, the host had to take a urine test on Oct. 30. that showed no morphine, methamphetamine or ketamine in his blood.
Huang said he later realized how bad his behavior had been. "But people who said I was taking drugs need to prove it," he added.
Yesterday, a Douyu staff member responded, saying that the host's account had been banned forever, but the reason was not released.
