As an Oxford-educated academic, he is well-respected by his colleagues and students.

But it is the extra-curricular activities of chemical engineering professor Nicholas Goddard that have become a cause for concern at his university.

For the lecturer has spent the past ten years starring in dozens of highly explicit pornographic films.

Nicholas Goddard, 61, is a chemical engineering academic at The University of Manchester who has published dozens of scientific papers over his 25 year career

For 10 years he has starred in X-rated films as 'Old Nick' - having sex with women in their twenties

Cavorting with girls 40 years his junior wearing nothing more than a gold watch, Mr Goddard – who has been an academic for 35 years – has appeared in films alongside ‘Teen Monique’ and ‘Blonde Lexi’.

And last night it emerged the professor could be suspended after his bosses at the University of Manchester began an investigation into his salacious sideline.

A university insider said: ‘I think the university may well suspend him while they weigh up how this could affect his ability to do his job effectively.

‘Although his private life is his own business, his conduct off campus also has an impact on the job and how he is able to properly fulfil his duties to the university and to his students.

‘Outwardly he is a very good academic who commands respect from his colleagues and students. However, this may affect that adversely.’

His secret career has made him one of the top attractions on pornography websites, with his explicit films viewed more than a million times.

The films starring Mr Goddard have been seen by millions of people

But the divorced father-of-three said that his life starring in pornography had not been very glamorous and he was paid a pittance.

He also claimed that, as of two months ago, he had given up the starring roles that are said to have made him the talk of the university campus.

Mr Goddard, who lives in a newly built terrace home in Manchester, also condemned those criticising him, saying that he would not object if his children were being taught by a porn star.

After being unmasked as an X-rated star, Mr Goddard told The Sun: ‘I don’t get paid much, mainly travel expenses.

‘There is such hypocrisy with people watching porn then complaining about those who act in it.

‘Why would students and staff be happy to watch it, but unhappy when they see who stars in them?

‘Especially as I know that, on evenings and weekends, 75 per cent of web traffic on the university’s server is accessing porn.’

Mr Goddard said that he began starring in the X-rated films to relieve the stress of his divorce.

He said: ‘Sometimes you do things that you regret later while under stress.

‘But I’ve given it up since January, it’s too much for me now. What I do in my private life is my business not the university’s.

‘I haven’t told anyone there. I don’t know what students or their parents would think but I for one certainly wouldn’t care if my children were being taught by a porn star.’

Mr Goddard, who drives a £35,000 Audi A6, has written dozens of academic papers.

The University of Manchester spokesman has said it is investigating Mr Goddard's pornography career

His research covers fields including complex chemicals, and biological systems, and nanomaterials and interfaces.

Mr Goddard is the lead tutor on three courses and he is also shown lecturing students in a university video.

A source at the university told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s the talk of the campus and it’s going to be very interesting indeed when he turns up to teach this week.

‘I should imagine there will be quite a bit of sniggering and I would imagine students will be wanting to do a bit of their own research into his secret life.’