The boss of a furniture company which featured in a national television programme has made his first appearance at Leeds Crown Court accused of murdering his estranged wife.

John David Butler, 62, of Larkfield Road, Rawdon, who heads the family run Kettley’s Furniture Centre in Yeadon, was remanded in custody until April 28 after the court was told he was making no bail application yesterday.

Pauline Butler, 61, was found dead from stab wounds on Monday at a house on Cherry Lea Court, Rawdon.

Kettley’s became the subject of national attention in 2012 when it appeared in the BBC’s The Fixer series in which celebrity consultant Alex Polizzi helped to modernise the business.

Butler appeared on Wednesday before Leeds Magistrates’ Court when his case was sent to the crown court because a judge must decide any bail application in a murder case.

Remanding Butler in custody, the Recorder of Leeds Judge Peter Collier QC told him at that next preliminary hearing a timetable for the case would be set.