TV's Kelly quizzed again over sex abuse claims

Television presenter Matthew Kelly was today being re-interviewed by British police over allegations of sexual abuse against young boys.

The 52-year-old, from Chiswick, west London, UK, was arrested last month by officers from Surrey Police investigating claims of sexual abuse dating back to the 1970s.

Mr Kelly, who had been due to answer bail at Guildford police station next month, was brought back early for questioning at Staines police station in west London.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: “A 52-year-old man arrested in connection with historic allegations of child abuse last month is today being re-interviewed at Staines police station.”

Kelly was arrested on January 15 in connection with allegations of sexual abuse against boys under 16 in the 1970s.

He was arrested by British plainclothes officers as he came offstage from a pantomime performance as Captain Hook in Birmingham, UK.

The allegations are connected to Operation Arundel, the inquiry which led to the jailing of pop mogul Jonathan King.

Kelly has “emphatically denied” the allegations, saying they came as a “complete shock and surprise”.

Famous friends of the star publicly gave him their backing following his arrest.

Julie Walters, Alan Rickman and Pete Postlethwaite are among actors who have signed an open letter declaring their support.

Kelly was told by TV bosses that he was being replaced by Davina McCall as host of a series of Stars In Their Eyes celebrity specials.

At the end of last month, a detective from the Surrey Police team investigating the allegations travelled to Sri Lanka.

He was sent to the capital Colombo to work with Sri Lankan police who had already raided Kelly’s £100.000 (€146,000) holiday home there.

The Surrey detective was shown material seized from the Stars In Their Eyes host’s home, including his computer and videos.