Broadcaster Hall charged with rape

Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has been charged with rape and 14 counts of indecent assault for a string of alleged historic sex attacks, Lancashire Police have said.

Hall, of Prestbury Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, was arrested on Tuesday morning after he attended an appointment at a police station.

The 83-year-old is charged with one count of rape allegedly committed in 1976 against a 22-year-old woman and 14 offences of indecent assault against 10 girls aged between nine and 16 which allegedly took place between 1967 and 1986.

He has been bailed to appear before Preston Magistrates' Court on February 7.

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: "Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service an 83-year-old man has this evening been charged with one offence of rape and 14 offences of indecent assault.

"Stuart Hall, of Prestbury Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, was arrested this morning after attending a police station in the county by appointment. He has been bailed to appear before magistrates in Preston on February 7 2013."

Hall has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century and was last year awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours.

His eccentric and erudite football match summaries have made him a cult figure on BBC Radio 5 Live.