Television presenter Matthew Kelly spoke of his relief yesterday after police ruled out further action over an allegation that he sexually abused a young boy.

Detectives said they were taking no further action over the allegation, which dated back to the 1970s, but the TV host was cautioned after cocaine was found during a search of his London home.

Despite the drugs find, Granada - which makes Kelly's show Stars In Their Eyes - and ITV said he would return to the screen and his admission that he had used cocaine would have "no bearing" on his future.

And tonight, he is expected at Darlington's Civic Theatre for his role in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.

A spokeswoman said the Civic had not planned to include Mr Kelly in publicising the production and that decision had not changed in the light of yesterday's events.

The show runs until Saturday and none of the performances in the 900-seat venue has sold out, she said.

Police sources said Mr Kelly's high profile had been taken into account when a decision was taken to caution rather than charge him over possession of cocaine, but they denied he had been made a special case.

One in four people found in possession of Class A drugs in Surrey over the last year have received a caution rather than being charged.

After emerging from the London police station yesterday, Mr Kelly made an emotional statement, which he said "came from the heart".

"I was always confident my name would be cleared in due course.

"However, it has been a very anxious and upsetting time for me and my family.".

Mr Kelly said the Class A drug found at his home had been for his own "personal and occasional use" and he recognised using it was "both illegal and foolish".

The TV host also thanked fans and friends - who included Julie Walters, Pete Postlethwaite and Alan Rickman - for their backing.

Mr Kelly was arrested on January 15 in his dressing room after appearing as Captain Hook in a pantomime in Birmingham.

The allegation against him was connected to Operation Arundel, the inquiry which led to the jailing of pop mogul Jonathan King.