Catherine Zeta-Jones's ex and former UK kid's TV presenter charged over sexual assault allegations

John Leslie, a former UK children's TV presenter, has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman.

The allegation relates to an incident in Westminster in December 2008, when the victim was aged 30, Scotland Yard have said.

The 54-year-old, originally from Edinburgh, was charged on June 5 with sexual touching of a woman aged 16 or over, contrary to the sexual offences act, reports Sky News UK.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the claims against the former Blue Peter presenter.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on July 25 and according to the Evening Standard, he is yet to enter a plea to the charge and is not on bail.

In a statement to a number of UK media outlets, Leslie said: "I am totally innocent of the historic allegation and will be contesting the trial".

Leslie, who dated Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones in the 90s before her big break in Hollywood, faced a similar allegation last year but was acquitted in an Edinburgh court of the alleged nightclub incident.

The TV presenter was best known for his five years as host of the popular kids' TV show Blue Peter, before a three-year stint as the host of ITV's This Morning. He also made appearances on Wheel of Fortune.

In the early 2000s Leslie made the move back to Scotland and has been a radio presenter there.