SINGER Dappy will appear in court next month after being charged with an assault in Chelmsford.

The 26-year-old N-Dubz member who recently came second in Celebrity Big Brother was arrested in the early hours of Thursday February 27 outside Chicago's in Moulsham Street.

Earlier on the night Dappy had made a guest appearance at the popular city centre nightclub.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Costadinos Contostavlos, aged 26, from Sandridge, St Albans, has been charged with an assault by beating following an incident outside a nightclub in Moulsham Street in Chelmsford in the early hours of February 27.

"He has been released on bail prior to his appearance at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on March 19."

His court date will fall exactly five weeks after his cousin and fellow N-Dubz member Tulisa was at the same court to answer to the same charge.

In August last year the former X Factor judge is alleged to have attacked celebrity blogger Vas Morgan during V Festival in Hylands Park.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge and will reappear at the magistrates' court in May for trial.