BBC commentator Stuart Hall charged with indecently assaulting children

British prosecutors said Wednesday they were bringing charges against veteran BBC commentator Stuart Hall, saying he indecently assaulted children in the 1970s and 1980s.

The 82-year-old, a former presenter of game show "It's a Knockout" known for his eccentric and erudite football match summaries on BBC Radio 5 Live, was arrested at his home at Wilmslow near Manchester in northwest England earlier in the day.

The BBC said in a statement that, "in light of the very serious nature of these charges", Hall would not work for the broadcaster while the police conduct their investigation.

"The charges are that between 1 September 1974 and 31 December 1974 he indecently assaulted a woman who was then aged 16 or 17 years," said John Dilworth, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service's north west complex casework unit.

"That between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 1983 he indecently assaulted a girl then aged eight or nine years, and that between 1 July 1984 and 27 September 1984 he indecently assaulted a girl then aged 13 years."

He was released without charge on an allegation of rape and a further claim of indecent assault.

Hall, who was awarded an OBE in the New Yeas Honours list, has been bailed to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on January 7.