TV presenter Julia Bradbury will return to BBC Watchdog after being cleared by police as a suspect in an air miles fraud inquiry, it was disclosed today.

Bradbury, 38, gave a witness statement to police over the continuing investigation into allegations of theft and fraud made by Virgin Atlantic.

Reports in February said officers were investigating several occasions in the past three years when air mile points were allegedly added to the broadcaster's account with Virgin Atlantic instead of being removed.

The disclosure prompted her to voluntarily step down from fronting Watchdog alongside Nicky Campbell while investigations continued.

It was also disclosed that her sister, Gina Fox, was facing a similar inquiry centred around £35,000 worth of free flights.

Today it was disclosed that Bradbury will return to front Watchdog on Monday, April 20 after being sent a letter from Sussex Police stating that "Julia is not considered a suspect in this ongoing investigation".

The letter also said: "Julia Bradbury has been asked by Sussex Police to provide a voluntary written witness statement as a potential witness/victim of fraudulent activity."

In a statement, Bradbury said the last eight weeks had been "extremely upsetting" and that she now looked forward to returning to her presenting duties at Watchdog.

She said: "In February I voluntarily stepped down from my presenting duties on BBC One's Watchdog to protect a programme whose cause I feel passionately about.

"I have since provided a witness statement to the police in relation to their internal fraud investigation at Virgin Atlantic.

"The investigating officer wanted to talk to me as victim of fraudulent activity on my frequent flyer account and has confirmed that I am not a suspect.

"Virgin Atlantic has confirmed that the irregularities on my Flying Club account have been settled and have opened a new customer account for me.

"The last eight weeks have been extremely stressful and upsetting for me and my family.

"With considerable help and support I have worked tirelessly to get to the bottom of a very complex situation. I look forward to returning to Watchdog on Monday April 20 April."

Sources said the investigation still involved her sister and that she had not been cleared as a suspect.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "A 38-year-old woman has attended Crawley Police Station and provided a witness statement with regard to the ongoing investigation into allegations of theft and fraud made by Virgin Atlantic in relation to the Virgin Flying Club."

Bradbury is one of the BBC's most familiar faces, having presented consumer affairs programme Watchdog since 2005.

She has also hosted BBC's Wainwright's Walks series and Five's Rough Guide travel show.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said: "We can confirm that the irregularities on Julia Bradbury's Flying Club account have now been settled.

"Julia has now opened a new Flying Club account with us and we will welcome her on board in future.

"We cannot comment on the ongoing police investigation into several Flying Club accounts."