A former BBC sports producer with a home in Brighton admitted collecting child porn when he appeared today at Southwark Crown Court.
Martyn Smith, 44, is being held in custody until Friday 18 December when he will be sentenced.
Police raided a property in Chichester Terrace, Kemp Town, which belonged to Smith.
They also raided another home belonging to him, in Garrick Close, Wandsworth.
In total they found 1,600 images belonging to Smith, who worked on Sport Relief with Gary Lineker.
The investigation – Operation Algebra – was started by Lothian and Borders Police. When the trail led to Smith, Scottish officers tipped off the Metropolitan Police.
Eight other men who were prosecuted as part of Operation Algebra have already been given jail sentences of up to ten years.