The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Lancashire Police to charge football commentator Stuart Hall with three charges of indecent assault.

The news has come after the 82-year-old was taken in for questioning following allegations about incidents that are alleged to have taken place in the 1970s and 1980s.

"Following investigations by Lancashire Police into allegations of sexual assault by Stuart Hall I have reviewed all the evidence that they have gathered and have authorised Lancashire police to charge him with three counts of indecent assault," read a statement.

"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, that between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 1983 he indecently assaulted a girl then aged 8 or 9 years, and that between 1 July 1984 and 27 September 1984 he indecently assaulted a girl then aged 13 years. He has been bailed to appear at Preston Magistrates' Court on 7 January 2013.

"This decision is made in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and I have concluded that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to prosecute this case. With criminal proceedings now underway, I would like to stress the importance that nothing is placed in the public domain that could prejudice a future trial. For these reasons, we will not be commenting further about the case at this time."

Hall is most famous for hosting It's A Knockout.