Dave Lee Travis has said his wife didn't appear at court with him on Friday morning because he is not a fan of "hare coursing."
The veteran DJ made the comment to a press scrum as he left court where he faced 11 counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault against nine alleged victims.
He said he has his wife's support, and that of his friends, as he indicated that he will plead not guilty as he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today.
Addressing reporters outside court, Travis, of Mentmore in Bedfordshire, said: "I am supported by my wife and friends. My wife is not here today and the reason that she is not here today is because I detest hare-coursing."
Earlier, arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court, the DJ, whose real name is David Patrick Griffin, refused to comment on the case against him as he battled his way past a media scrum.
Dave Lee Travis arrived at court to face 11 counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault
The 68-year-old said: "I'm not protesting anything, I've got nothing to say.
"I'd like to speak for three hours to everybody to tell you the story.
"I'm making no comment."
He is accused of committing the offences between 1977 and 2007 against alleged victims aged between 15 and 29.
The DJ has denied any wrongdoing since he was first arrested
Travis, from Mentmore in Bedfordshire, has denied any wrongdoing since he was first arrested on suspicion of sexual offences last November.
When prosecutors announced the charges, his lawyer Martin Bale released a statement to say: "Mr Travis is naturally disappointed that charges have been preferred and we will be taking stock of the position in the coming weeks once we have full details of the prosecution case.
"Mr Travis denies the allegations and looks forward to having the opportunity to clear his name.''
He was charged as part of Operation Yewtree, the police investigation prompted by the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal, but the accusations against Travis have no connection to the disgraced television presenter.