'Wife Swap' star's benefit charge

Ms Bardsley earned £37,500 in benefits before the programme

A reality TV star has denied falsely claiming almost £5,000 in benefits.

Lizzie Bardsley, 31, who appeared on Channel 4's Wife Swap, denied not declaring money earned from TV shows and magazine and newspaper articles.

The mother-of-eight, from Milnrow, Rochdale, appeared before magistrates in the town on Tuesday.

She pleaded not guilty to failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of a change which she knew would affect her benefits.

It is claimed that Ms Bardsley, of Hursthead Road, was paid for TV appearances and other media interviews.

She is accused of being overpaid by £4,879.87, between October last year and January this year.

Sparked outrage

Ms Bardsley appeared with her husband Mark, an unemployed builder, on Wife Swap.

They sparked outrage by claiming £37,500 benefits a year for the family while not working.

Vincent Carr, prosecuting, asked for the case to be adjourned for a pre-trial review on 11 January.

Bardsley was given unconditional bail.