Presenter considers TV offer

JOHN LESLIE was last night considering a £1 million television deal to front his own prime-time talk show.

The 38-year-old presenter was said to be "very excited" by the offer.

A spokesman said: "Sky One have offered him his own one-hour talk show, aired five days a week, and starting in October.

"He's absolutely delighted with it and although he has been made a number of offers from other TV channels and production companies, this is obviously a very significant offer."

He said Sky had approached Mr Leslie a couple of months ago to discuss the possibilities despite the

uncertainty over his future and the damage done to his career.

"This hasn't materialised today," the spokesman added. "It's something they have been considering for months. It would move John from day-time television to prime-time."

A spokesman later said: "Sky One can confirm that it is in talks with John Leslie regarding two potential television programmes but as yet no deal has been agreed."

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Leslie will not return as presenter on This Morning.

Despite the indecent assault charges against him being dropped, it was felt his position would be untenable because the daytime show deals with many relationship issues, including ones concerning sex and drugs.

A This Morning spokesman said: "On John's departure we had no choice but to establish a new presenter line-up for This Morning. The presenters work very well together and have proved very popular with viewers. We do not propose changing that."

There was widespread relief among John's family and friends about the court ruling but public relations experts believed the affair may have damaged his reputation and career beyond repair.

His DJ brother, Grant Stott, told listeners to his show on Edinburgh's Radio Forth: "Since October there has been a very heavy dark cloud hanging over my brother and my family. Today that dark cloud has finally broken."

He then played U2's Beautiful Day and dedicated it to John.

Fern Britton, his former colleague on This Morning, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to bits. I've never doubted John and now he can get on with his life and his career." But public relations guru Max Clifford said he needs to start a media campaign to help him "win friends and influence people" if he is to stand any chance of salvaging his career.