Show goes on for Kelly

TV presenter Matthew Kelly returned to the stage last night after strongly denying sex abuse claims.

The 52-year-old Stars In Their Eyes host was released on bail after being questioned by Surrey Police over claims he molested boys under 16.

The accusations, which date back to the 1970s, were said to have surfaced during the inquiry which led to pop mogul Jonathan King being jailed.

In a statement through his lawyers, Kelly said they came 'as a complete shock and surprise'.

It added: 'He has co-operated fully with the police and will of course continue to do so should that be necessary.

'It should be noted that he has been released without charge.'

Kelly, of Chiswick, West London, was arrested on Wednesday at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, where he is playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

Last night, he returned to the theatre after police questioning, 95 minutes before he was due on stage.

The 4,000-strong audience cheered and clapped for several minutes when they learned he would be appearing. He was given a thunderous reception when he walked on stage a few minutes later.

Police, who bailed Kelly to return on March 12, denied they were carrying out a celebrity witch-hunt. It was reported that dozens of stars and politicians could be questioned following the arrest of Kelly and Tam Paton, former manager of 1970s pop band Bay City Rollers.

But Surrey Police said their inquiry was not a 'wide-ranging trawl into the showbusiness world'.

A spokesman added: 'We don't have a list of other celebrities that we wish to interview in connection with this inquiry.'

Kelly, married with two grown-up children, has been living apart from his wife, Sarah, for 20 years.

Paton was arrested in Edinburgh in connection with the same investigation. He was also released on bail. The men were the first to be arrested in the inquiry.

'They are not current offences and the allegation is not that they have been going on since then,' police said.

They are not linked to Operation Ore, an investigation into Internet child porn.