12:12pm UK, Tuesday May 20, 2003

Matthew Kelly is to return as host of the TV talent show Stars In Their Eyes.

It will be his first TV job since he was cleared over a child porn allegation earlier this year.

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Kelly: Cocaine caution

Granada TV bosses say Kelly will film three celebrity specials of the show next month and is to front a new series later this year.

In February, he was investigated and cleared over allegations he had sexually abused a young boy in the 1970s, which he emphatically denied during the police inquiry.

During the investigation he stepped aside from presenting three Stars in Their Eyes celebrity specials which were hosted by Davina McCall.

'We stood by star'

"We are looing forward to working with Matthew again on the three celebrity Stars in Their Eyes," said a Granada spokeswoman, who stressed that the programme-maker had always stood by the 52-year-old star.

"We are going to ensure he has a great line-up. It (the police investigation) was a terrible time for Matthew and we are just glad it is all way behind him."

One celebrity already signed up for one of the shows is Hollywood actress Brigette Nielsen who will appear as Madonna.

Cocaine caution

Surrey police announced in February they were not taking any further action over the sex abuse allegations made against Kelly.

He always maintained he had never met the man who made the claims and who is now in his late 30s.

Kelly was, however, cautioned by police after cocaine was found during a search of his London home, but Granada said at the time that would have "no bearing" on his future with them.