John Leslie (TV presenter)

John Leslie
Born John Leslie Stott
22 February 1965
Edinburgh
Nationality Scottish
Occupation television presenter
property developer
Known for Blue Peter
Wheel of Fortune
This Morning

John Leslie (born John Leslie Stott; 22 February 1965) is a former Scottish television presenter turned property developer.[1] Debuting on Music Box in 1987, he later presented BBC One's Blue Peter, and ITV's This Morning and the gameshow Wheel of Fortune. He was also the studio host for the first series of the UK version of Survivor.

Personal life

John Leslie Stott was born in Edinburgh, the brother of Grant Stott. He attended Liberton High School and James Gillespie's High School. He spent his early years in the church choir and studied music on leaving school and worked as a DJ in Copenhagen. His first television work was on Yorkshire Television when he hosted Music Box's all-night music show, Formula One, in 1989. Prior to his television career he worked as a DJ in nightclubs in Edinburgh[2] and Newcastle.

Football

Leslie is also known for his affinity for football. He played in goal for the Scottish team in the Celebrity World Cup Soccer Six tournament which took place on 14 May 2006 at St. Andrew's, the home of Birmingham City. He is a supporter of Hibernian.[3]

Television

Blue Peter

Main article: Blue Peter

On 20 April 1989, Leslie became Blue Peter's first Scottish presenter, and also the tallest at 6'4".[4] He was the second Blue Peter presenter to take part in the London Marathon, following Peter Duncan. He finished in four hours, thirty-six minutes.

On his last show he was set John's Final Challenge which involved abseiling down BBC Television Centre, completing a velcro and wheelbarrow obstacle course, then trampolining and conducting an orchestra in the studio. Leslie presented Blue Peter with Caron Keating, Yvette Fielding, Diane-Louise Jordan, Anthea Turner and Tim Vincent.

Filmography

Music and radio

In November 2012, John Leslie started presenting Friday's Drivetime show on 98.8 Castle FM, hoping to revive his career as a radio DJ. In March 2013, Leslie was among the Castle FM presenters who walked out in a disagreement with their management, only to be locked out when they tried to return. By the end of the year, the radio station had become automated, with no presenters.[5]

In 2013, Leslie starred as a pub karaoke singer in a music video[6] for Scottish indie band Vigo Thieves for their track called Ghosts. This track was available to view on YouTube from 1 February 2013.[7]

On 28 March 2014, it was announced that Leslie would begin presenting his own Saturday (10 AM to 2 PM) radio show across the Scottish Bauer Radio AM network, debuting the following day.[8]

Rape allegations

In October 2002, Ulrika Jonsson wrote in her autobiography that a television presenter had raped her at the beginning of her career when she was his junior.[9] Amid media speculation, Matthew Wright disclosed - by accident - on his television show The Wright Stuff, that Leslie was the alleged person. Jonsson refused to tell the public or the police whether the correct person had been named. Shortly afterwards, several other women made accusations relating to indecent assault by Leslie, who was arrested and charged with assaulting a woman twice between 25 and 28 May 1997. He was never charged with offences against Jonsson. The police dropped the charge against Leslie on 31 July 2003. On the court steps after his clearing, Leslie said that he had "been to hell and back" and that he had "maintained [his] innocence throughout".

In December 2003, Leslie appeared in the music video for the Christmas single Proper Crimbo, released by Bo' Selecta! creator Leigh Francis, alongside Matthew Wright in a spoof of their presumed rivalry.

In January 2006 Leslie was interviewed for the BBC series My Childhood in which he analysed his childhood memories with psychiatrist Linda Treliving. In the programme Leslie admitted that he "had never learnt how to treat women with respect" and "never learnt how to chat up women", admitting that he abused drugs, but claiming he did so as a result of childhood trauma. Shortly afterwards in an interview with The Independent he repeated this version of events, admitting "my behaviour was at times inappropriate".[10][11]

On 23 June 2008 British media reported that Leslie had again been arrested in relation to an alleged rape that happened in November 1995.[12] Again, no charges were brought.[13]

Speaking on ITV's Daybreak programme in early 2013, Leslie recounted the events subsequent to the allegations being made and spoke of new projects, such as radio work.

References

  1. ↑ Alleyne, Richard (25 June 2008). "John Leslie: From scandal-hit celebrity to obscure property developer - Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Storr, Will (23 February 2006). "John Leslie: 'My behaviour was at times inappropriate'". The Independent (London). Retrieved 16 February 2006. During his teens, he says he was too obsessed with football and music to think about women. So when he left school, his career as a DJ playing in nightclubs with names like Cinderella-Rockerfellas took off and he was bombarded by amorous women, he says he suddenly found himself in a thrilling but completely alien world, the subtleties and social codes of which he'd never learnt
  3. ↑ Beckham Backs Hibs Star Retrieved 26 June 2008
  4. ↑ "Blue Peter - John Leslie profile". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "John Leslie among Castle FM radio hosts locked out" - The Scotsman, 25 March 2013
  6. ↑ "Leslie promo cameo". The Sun. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  7. ↑ "Vigo Thieves - Ghosts". vigothievesonline / Shootback Productions www.shootback.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  8. ↑ "John Leslie Gets Regular Show With Bauer" - RadioToday.co.uk
  9. ↑ Jonsson, Ulrika (2003), Honest, Pan Macmillan, ISBN 978-0-330-41174-5
  10. ↑ "John Leslie: 'My behaviour was at times inappropriate'". The Independent (London). 23 February 2006. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  11. ↑ "Entertainment News | Music, Film, Showbiz, TV, Celebrity Gossip | Orange UK | Orange UK". Ananova.com. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  12. ↑ "Leslie quizzed on rape allegation". BBC News. 24 June 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  13. ↑ "report on second set of charges being dropped". BBC News. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2012.

Bibliography

External links

Preceded by
Mark Curry		 Blue Peter Presenter No. 18
1989-94 		Succeeded by
Tim Vincent
Preceded by
Bradley Walsh		 Host of Wheel of Fortune
1998-2001 		Succeeded by
Paul Hendy
Preceded by
Coleen Nolan and Twiggy		 Host of This Morning
with Fern Britton
2001-2002 		Succeeded by
Phillip Schofield