Hardeep Singh Kohli: Who is ex-Big Brother contestant facing multiple sexual assault charges

Comedian and former Big Brother contestant Hardeep Singh Kohli is facing six sexual offence charges involving three women, a court has heard. Kohli, 56, denies all allegations.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, prosecutors outlined claims spanning from April 2007 to December 2016. In one alleged incident, Kohli is accused of grabbing a woman’s buttocks and hugging her at BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow. He is also accused of making sexual remarks and other assaults.

The charges also include an allegation of indecent assault at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow, where Kohli is said to have stroked a woman’s back and touched her hair.

In relation to a second woman, Kohli is accused of indecent assault at the Cross Keys Hotel in Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway, including seizing her arm, lunging towards her, and attempting to kiss her. A special defence of consent has been lodged for this charge.

Prosecutors further allege that Kohli engaged in disorderly conduct and committed a breach of the peace on the same occasion.

The final charge relates to an alleged sexual assault on a third woman at the former Yes Bar in Glasgow city centre, where Kohli is accused of seizing her, hugging her, and kissing her on the mouth.

Kohli, from Kelvinside in Glasgow, is a former reporter for BBC’s The One Show and a former panellist on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff.

Defence lawyer Urfan Dar told the court his client was prepared for a trial expected to last four to five days. Prosecutor Sean Docherty said the Crown intended to call seven civilian witnesses and one police witness.

Sheriff John McCormick set the trial date for November and continued Kohli’s bail.