Jimmy Tarbuck has been arrested over an alleged sexual assault on a young boy in the 1970s.
The 73-year-old comedian was detained at his home in Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, and questioned for several hours.
The
arrest arises from allegations made to Scotland Yard officers working
on Operation Yewtree, set up after Jimmy Savile was exposed as a
predatory paedophile with more than 450 victims.
Suspect: Jimmy Tarbuck, pictured with his wife Pauline last year, has been arrested following a complaint made to police
Police have arrested 12 men as part of
the operation, including convicted paedophile Gary Glitter, comics
Freddie Starr and Jim Davidson, presenter Rolf Harris and DJ Dave Lee
Travis. All deny any wrongdoing and investigations are continuing.
Tarbuck
was questioned after claims about the alleged abuse of a boy in
Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in the late 1970s.
The comedian, who became a
well-known TV personality
in the mid-60s, was arrested on April 26, but it had remained secret
because North Yorkshire Police chose not to release the information.
It comes amid an ongoing row over the rise of secret arrests.
It is common practice for police forces to release some details of high-profile arrests on the day they take place.
In
the case of Stuart Hall, Lancashire Constabulary said that publicity
surrounding the initial arrest of the 83-year-old broadcaster led to the
majority of his sexual assault victims coming forward.
In
Tarbuck's case, the Met decided allegations against him did not fall
under their Yewtree investigation and passed their information to North
Yorkshire Police.
Tarbuck, who became a well-known TV personality in the mid-60s, was arrested on April 26
Entertainer: Jimmy Tarbuck (right) pictured with former England captain Bobby Moore and Ranjit Anand in 1978
Last night Tarbuck said: 'I'm not commenting on this. You need to speak to my solicitor.'
A
police spokesman said: 'North Yorkshire Police can confirm that a
73-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a historic child
sex abuse investigation in Harrogate. He was released on police bail
pending further enquiries.'
A
week ago, following disclosure of the arrest of Rolf Harris, a Sunday
newspaper reported that 'another household TV name' was under
investigation. Tarbuck, who has been married to Pauline for more than 50
years, has three children, including 48-year-old actress and radio
presenter Liza Tarbuck.
Jimmy Tarbuck with daughter Liza Tarbuck at the Woman's Own Children of Courage Awards at Westminster Abbey, London
Dancer: Jimmy Tarbuck in the BBC's hit series
Strictly Come Dancing (right). Last night the comic refused to comment
on the allegations
Jimmy Tarbuck pictured at home in Liverpool with
his wife Pauline in 1965 holding the Beatles For Sale album. Tarbuck
was a school friend of legendary Beatles member John Lennon
The comedian – known
affectionately as Tarby – began his showbusiness career aged 18 as a
member of a touring rock and roll show and then as a Redcoat for a
Butlins holiday camp in Brighton.
After
leaving school at 15 his first jobs were as a mechanic and sweeping the
floor of a ladies' hairdresser. He recalled: 'It was a brilliant way to
meet girls.'
Tarbuck was
classmates with John Lennon at Dovedale Junior School in Liverpool. He
claimed the former Beatle once spiked his drink with speed.
The entertainer's first taste of mainstream success came in 1964, when he presented It's Tarbuck 65! on ITV.
He
went on to host numerous quiz shows, including Winner Takes All and
Full Swing. In the 1980s, he hosted Sunday night variety shows Live From
Her Majesty's, Live from the Piccadilly and Live from the Palladium. He
was awarded an OBE for services to showbusiness and charity in 1994.
DAILYMAIL
No comments:
Post a Comment