The daughter of TV presenter Richard Keys today (FRI) denied sending abusive texts to his alleged former lover when she appeared in court.

Ex-Hollyoaks actress Jemma (CORRECT) Keys, 32, is accused of harassing her former friend, 28-year-old lawyer Lucie Rose.

Lucie is alleged to have had a fling with former Sky Sports football presenter Richard, 60, last year when he divorced his wife Julia who had cancer.

Jemma Keys appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court in east London charged with harassment without violence between October 31 and December 8 this year.

The offence carries a fine or maximum six-month jail term.

Keys is said to have "pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of Lucie, a person known to you, and which you knew or ought to have known amounted to the harassment of her".

According to the charge, she "sent a number of threatening and abusive text messages to her".

Blonde Keys, wearing a beige coat, black dress, black tights and black boots. spoke to confirm her name, date of birth, address, and to give her nationality as British.

She entered a plea of not guilty to the single charge, and sat in the dock with her hands clasped together for the rest of the hearing.

A female supporter sat in the public gallery during the hearing.

The case was sent for trial at Stratford Magistrates' Court on March 22 next year.

Keys, of Ascot, Berkshire, was granted conditional bail, with the condition that she does not contact the alleged victim.

Jonathan Black, defending, said: "There's a complex background, complex issues."

Peter Lush, chair of the bench, told Keys: "You have pleaded not guilty.

"As you have gathered, we have had to set a trial date. That date is March 22nd.

"Until then you are on conditional bail, which is not to contact Lucie Rose.

"That means no texts, no telling friends to contact, no emails, no phone calls.

"If by chance you see her in the street, you walk away. Do you understand?"

Keys replied: "I do understand."

Mr Lush added: "If you don't come to court on that date, that's a separate offence.

"If you don't attend, the trial will proceed in your absence."

Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys resigned from the channel in 2011 over a sexism row, after comments he made were leaked.

Keys along with his former co-presenter Andy Gray is now the face of the BeIN Sports channels which broadcast all 365 Premier League games per season mainly on its flagship "Super Saturday" programme.