Two former personal assistants to Dave Lee Travis rallied around the veteran DJ today describing him as a "kind and gentle man" who was like a "big brother".
Margaret Merritt, previously a singer in early 70s band Pickettywitch, and Amanda Townley agreed he was "tactile" but rubbished claims he was a "sexual predator".
Ms Merritt, who was employed by Travis from 1974-76, said she was "proud" to work for him and had never received a complaint.
She added that when she first heard about the allegations against him, she immediately phoned his home to offer her support.
She told jurors at Southwark crown court: "I was really upset. I had not seen him for a long time because our paths didn't cross that much...I just said if he needs any help please call."
Asked by Stephen Vullo, defending, if she had ever seen him behaving like a "sexual predator", she replied: "No, not at all. He was a kind, gentle man who used to hug women. He was quite tactile but never in a sexual way.
"He was just always a fun person and people liked to be around him...I was very proud to be working with him."
She agreed the Seventies were a "different time", but insisted they were not "lewd" and just fun".
"He would put his arms around your shoulders but he only did that to people he knew. He would give them a bit of a bear hug and that was it," she continued.
Ms Townley, who worked for Travis from 1978-86, said: "He was like my big brother. It was a wonderful job and he was a lovely person. I never had any doubts or worries about him and I'm a very astute and inquiring sort of person."
The self-declared feminist added that she "would not have turned up for work the next morning" if she had seen him or heard about him acting inappropriately.
"He could be tactile, he was warm and welcoming. I personally never felt uncomfortable. If I was ever upset or had a personal issue he would have a hug to say things will get better. I was not ever aware of anything inappropriate or anything excessive," she told the jury.
Asked by prosecutor Miranda Moore QC whether she had witnessed any sexist behaviour at the BBC, she replied: "Yes, things that would not be acceptable today, hugging someone when greeting them, putting your arms round their shoulders. I think nowadays people find that inappropriate.
"I think anything more than a handshake is probably frowned upon. In those days people were more tactile and there wasn't this constant concern over being friendly with people."
She stressed Travis had never behaved inappropriately in front of her, but added: "What went on with the boys I don't know."
Travis, 68, of Buckinghamshire, known as DLT but charged under his real name David Griffin, denies 13 charges alleging indecent assault between 1976 and 2003 and one of sexual assault by touching in 2008 involving 10 women and a girl of 15.
He was first charged in August as part of Operation Yewtree, the police investigation prompted by the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal but the accusations against Travis have no connection to the disgraced TV presenter.
The trial continues.
