Presenter John Leslie arrested

Mr Leslie was recently sacked from This Morning

TV presenter John Leslie has been bailed after being arrested in connection with allegations of rape and indecent assault.

He was released on Thursday afternoon after several hours of questioning at Belgravia police station in London.

The Metropolitan Police said three women had made complaints, understood to be one of rape and two of indecent assault.

A statement issued by Mr Leslie's solicitors said the presenter denied all of the allegations against him.

It said: "We can confirm that 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 these allegations and intends to continue to do so, but he will assist the police with their enquiries.

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

Initial contact

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "A man has been arrested in connection with allegations of rape and indecent assault.

"He attended the police station this morning by arrangement with his solicitor."

Mr Leslie, 37, left the station on Thursday afternoon in a black BMW with darkened windows.

He had initially contacted police about allegations made against him at the end of October.

Mr Leslie dated Catherine Zeta Jones in the early 1990s

The star was dismissed by This Morning producers Granada who said he had failed to respond to allegations about his private life.

His sacking followed allegations in the press arising from Ulrika Jonsson's autobiography - although she herself had not named him.

Mr Leslie has maintained a public silence since the flurry of allegations about his private life began.

Manager John Noel said at the time of his sacking that the star would not be forced into taking part in a "trial by media" and would deal only with the police.

'Proper channels'

Mr Noel said: "It should be apparent in the light of the allegations made against John Leslie that it is inappropriate for John to discuss those allegations with any party before first speaking to the police.

"John Leslie has contacted the police of his own initiative and openly offered any assistance that he can give the police.

He added: "John Leslie is committed to dealing with this matter through the proper channels and not a trial by media."

Mr Leslie - who started his high-profile television career with Blue Peter - co-presented This Morning with Fern Britton after replacing Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan in 2001.

He had first been subject to the full, tabloid glare when he was dating Catherine Zeta Jones in the early 1990s.