Radio presenter Richard Bacon has refused to condemn a hoaxer who made up an incredibly moving story about finding her real mother through his radio show, just to win concert tickets.

University student Lizzie Denis, from Tooting, said she had learned that her ice skating teacher of 11 years, Cotrina Stasi, was actually her real mother, when she entered an Xfm radio competition to win two Rolling Stones concert tickets.

But after Miss Stasi completely denied the allegation, Miss Dennis realised she had been rumbled and emailed the shows presenter to confess all.

Mr Bacon, who presents the Richard Bacon Show, said: "The level of detail in her story was impressive.

"The creativity was matched by her acting, no one listening at the time questioned the validity of her story.

"I should feel annoyed but there's a bigger part of me that takes my hat off to her. Lizzie has apologised for her actions and for letting it get so out of hand."

Miss Stasi said: "This is a pack of lies and she has never even been adopted.

"She has been a friend of mine but she has her own biological parents - and I am not one of them."

Miss Denis, a student at UCL, entered the competition in which listeners had to text somebody in their phonebook, asking whether they knew an interesting rumour.

The most interesting reply would be read out on the show and win the entrant the concert tickets.

Miss Dennis contacted the show saying she had been sent a message from Miss Stasi, which read: "I should have told you before, you are old enough to know now.

"It was a stupid mistake but looking at you now I have no regrets."

Miss Denis was unavailable for comment.

The Xfm spokeswoman added: "Her phone has been switched off since she emailed in."