Disgraced TV star Rolf Harris dead at the age of 93
The convicted paedophile and former TV star died at his Berkshire home.
Rolf Harris has died at the age of 93, it’s been confirmed.
The convicted paedophile and disgraced TV star, who served three years behind bars for a string of sex attacks on children, is believed to have died at his Berkshire home.
It’s been reported that the Australian-born entertainer was receiving frequent treatment for neck cancer and was unable to speak and eat without being fed through a tube.
Harris first found fame in Britain in the 1960s with the song ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport’ and went on to become one of the country’s most beloved entertainers, presenting shows such as Animal Hospital. He was also known for his paintings of high profile figures including a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
But his career and legacy ended in disgrace when he was convicted of indecent assault against four girls in 2014.
Harris, who was sentenced to five years behind bars, was first investigated as part of Operation Yewtree , a British police investigation into sexual abuse allegations, which was sparked by historic sex offences committed by the late Jimmy Savile.
Harris, who was known for his friendship with Savile, was released in 2017 after three years and later that year he appeared at the Court of Appeal in London to try and overturn his conviction. One was overturned, but the other 11 remained. He otherwise kept largely out of the spotlight until his death.
At his 2014 trial, Southwark Crown Court how Harris committed crimes against four girls – one who was just seven or eight at the time of the attack. He was said to have shown “no remorse” for his crimes, with one victim being a childhood friend of his daughter.
A victim impact statement read out in court said: “The attacks that happened have made me feel dirty, grubby and disgusting. The whole sordid saga has traumatised me. I have panic attacks and suffer from anxiety. The effects of the abuse have been with me for many years. I started drinking at the age of 14 to 15 years old. This was to block out the effects of what he was doing to me.”
Following his conviction, Harris was also stripped of his CBE, MBE and OBE.