Biggest Loser host faces fraud charges

Fairfax Media

FIGHTING FIT: Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester is set to appear in court over welfare fraud charges.

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Australia's Biggest Loser host Ajay Rochester will have to appear in court next month over welfare fraud charges after her case was adjourned earlier this week.

Rochester, 39, faces 23 charges of receiving the single parent payment from Centrelink when she knew she was not eligible between December 2001 and December 2005.

Rochester did not appear in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court when her case was heard briefly yesterday and her solicitor told the court it was believed she was overseas.

Magistrate Michael Dakin adjourned the case until July 8, when Rochester will be required to attend in person.

The charges include 19 of obtaining a financial advantage from a commonwealth entity and four of engaging in conduct to obtain a financial advantage.

Rochester, previously named Lee Ann Towler, shot to fame after she wrote books such as Confessions of a Reformed Dieter, Blubberguts and The Lazy Girl's Guide to Losing Weight and Getting Fit.

- AAP