TV presenter John Leslie arrested and questioned over alleged sexual offences

The television presenter John Leslie was arrested yesterday and questioned about allegations of rape and indecent assault.

Mr Leslie, 37, was questioned for nearly six hours at Belgravia police station in London, before being released on bail. Mr Leslie's solicitors said he learned of the details of the allegations for the first time yesterday when he went to the station by arrangement.

They said he "strenuously denied" all the allegations, which are one of rape in South-west London in 1998, one of indecent assault in the same area in 1997, and a third of indecent assault in central London last year.

He left Belgravia police station without comment but a statement by his solicitors said: "We can confirm Mr Leslie attended voluntarily at a London police station and for the first time, after some weeks of media speculation, was provided with details of certain allegations which have been made. He strenuously denies all those allegations and intends to continue to do so but he will assist the police with their inquiries.

"At this time, Mr Leslie has not been charged with any criminal offence."

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The 37-year-old man we were interviewing has been bailed to return to a central London police station on a date in January."

The spokesman said Leslie had not been charged and a date for his return for questioning had not yet been set.

Mr Leslie, a former boyfriend of actress Catherine Zeta Jones, was believed to earn about £250,000 for his role on This Morning.

He took over on the show after the departure of Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan to Channel 4 last year. He first came to public attention as a presenter on Blue Peter.