Kelly quits Stars in Their Eyes

"Stars in Their Eyes" front man Matthew Kelly has said he is leaving the programme.

15:09 12 March 2004

"Stars in Their Eyes" front man Matthew Kelly has said he is leaving the programme.

After 11 years presenting the show, Kelly says he wants to spend more time on his acting career.

It has been a busy year for Kelly, 53, after the ignominy of child abuse allegations he was cleared of all charges and went on to win an Olivier award for a role in the play "Of Mice and Men".

He confirmed his exit from the show in the run up to Saturday's live final.

"It's going to be a very special show tomorrow. It's my final, final, final. I am leaving," he told GMTV.

But he expects the series to continue without him: "Tomorrow night is my very last one ever. It's not going to be the end of the show but it will be the last show for me.

"I'm not going to give up television. I'll carry on doing telly if I get asked to do something."

"It's been 11 years. I worked out last night that that's nearly 200 shows. I've put over a thousand people through the door," he said.

Last year the presenter was arrested as he came off a pantomime stage in Birmingham over allegations of abuse dating back to the 1970s.

He categorically denied the allegations and was cleared by police a month later.

Favourite to replace him is Cat Deeley, who is currently filming a "Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes" special.