Stuart Hall
Stuart Hall poses for a photograph after being made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) (Reuters) Reuters

Veteran BBC football commentator and former It's a Knock Out host Stuart hall has been arrested on suspicion of a historic rape and indecent assault.

Lancashire Police confirm an 82-year-old man from Wilmslow in Cheshire was arrested during an investigation into historical rape but were not prepared to discuss the matter further.

Hall is best known for his distinctive commentating style and has been a broadcaster for the past 50 years. Last December he was awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list for services to broadcasting and charity.

A spokesman for Lancashire police said: "An 82-year-old man from Wilmslow in Cheshire has this morning (Wednesday, December 5<sup>th 2012) been arrested by Lancashire Police at his home address on suspicion of rape and indecent assault.

"The man will be interviewed at a police station during the course of the day.

"The allegations are historic. We are not prepared to discuss further.

"We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously.

"We would encourage people with any information about sexual abuse or who has been a victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report their concerns confident in the knowledge it will be investigated appropriately and with sensitivity."