Former CBC "Q" host Jian Ghomeshi pleaded not guilty to five charges in court in downtown Toronto on Thursday morning.

Clean shaven and clad in a pinstripe suit, Ghomeshi pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual assault, and one count of overcome resistance - choking.

He is set to stand trial on four of five sexual assault charges and an overcoming resistance charge beginning on Feb. 1, 2016. A second trial, which will deal with the final sexual assault count, will begin on June 6, 2016.

The Crown cited a different factual context as the reason for the separate trials.

Ghomeshi, 48, wishes to be tried by an Ontario Court judge and not a jury.

A publication ban has been put in place that prevents anyone from identifying the victims.

The former 'Q' host is currently out on $100,000 bail and must stay with his mother as part of the terms of his release.