Adam Johnson has told jurors at his child sex trial that he regularly shaves his chest "for tanning purposes".

The 28-year-old former Sunderland winger took to the stand for the first time today and was asked to explain holiday pictures in which he is seen sporting a shaved chest.

"I always shave my chest for tanning purposes," he explained. "I always do it every time I go somewhere really hot, so it's not as sweaty.

"I never ever shave my legs, [but] a lot of the foreign players tend to do it."

Last week the trial heard that Johnson had allegedly sent a picture of his "shaved groin area" to the schoolgirl at the centre of the trial.