A former panellist on the BBC quiz show, Eggheads, C J de Mooi has appeared in court in London over an alleged killing in Amsterdam almost 30 years ago.
De Mooi, who appeared in court under his real name Joseph Connagh, could face extradition to the Netherlands for allegations of murder, manslaughter and assault. He was arrested yesterday at Heathrow airport under a European Arrest Warant.
The 46 year old wrote in his autobiography that he "fully suspected" he had killed a man after being threatened while living on the streets in Amsterdam in 1988.
He claimed to have punched a mugger who approached him with a knife and then threw him into a canal. He wrote that "He caught me on the wrong day and I just snapped" adding that "I fully suspect I killed him. I've no idea what happened to him."
De Mooi became a panellist on the show, which features five quiz champions competing as a team against different challengers, in 2003 after winning a series of game shows.
In court today his lawyer said that the inquiry by the Dutch authorities is based on "something that might have happened" and which "could arguably be self defence".
The judge said that the allegations were serious and had come to light following revelations made by de Mooi himself.
He was released on bail and will appear again in court on November 28 for an extradition hearing.
