TV presenter Collins denies harassing his ex-girlfriend

Television presenter Justin Lee Collins has denied harassing an ex-girlfriend when he appeared in court.

The Friday Night Project star appeared before magistrates in St Albans, Hertfordshire yesterday over allegations that he caused Anna Larke “fear of violence”.

The 37-year-old, who is appearing in the West End show Rock of Ages, attended the court carrying a Reiss shopping bag, wearing jeans, running trainers and a grey knee-length coat with a checked shirt and tie underneath.

Chair of the magistrates’ bench, Doreen Clapper, read out the charge against him: “It is alleged that between January 2011 and July 2011 you caused Anna Larke to fear that violence would be used against her by your course of action which you knew or ought to have known would cause fear of violence to her on each occasion that you made threats of violence towards her.”

Standing next to his solicitor, the Bristolian comic said: “Not guilty.”

The TV funnyman elected a crown court trial. He was bailed on the condition that he would not contact Ms Larke, or three of her relatives, and ordered to attend the court again for a committal hearing on 17 February next year.