Seacrest 'stalker' denies charge

A man accused of stalking American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, Chidi Uzomah, 25, has been ordered to stay at least 500 yards away from the star and told not to try calling him for three years.

Mr Uzomah was arrested on Friday after he was stopped by security guards at cable network E! in Los Angeles, where Mr Seacrest was recording a show.

Mr Seacrest's lawyers claimed he had been carrying a knife.

Mr Uzomah was already on probation for attacking one of Mr Seacrest's bodyguards while trying to meet the star.

He had pleaded guilty to assault, battery and carrying a knife after that incident at a charity event in Orange County.

Mr Uzomah faces up to four years in prison if convicted for stalking and a second charge of disobeying a previous stay away order.

He has been jailed until a forthcoming court hearing which is scheduled to take place in two weeks which will determine whether he should stand trial.

On Friday, security guards at the E! building held Mr Uzomah until police arrived after recognising him from photos distributed after the previous scuffle.

Lawyers for Mr Seacrest filed a restraining order on the same day.

Mr Seacrest wrote: "His aggressive and violent efforts to come into physical contact with me are extremely frightening to me.

"They have jeopardised not only my personal safety but also the safety and well-being of those around me."

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