Rolf Harris was the man arrested as part of the inquiry into historical allegations of sexual offences.

[StealthOfficialCrispTester]

story here

[dotnet]

Well, edam, Wilfred D'eath has been released without charge and the police collared him and he was under investigation for quite a while. He worked with Jimmy Savile as a producer I think. Apparently, as with Wilfred D'eath, in Rolf Harris's case, one allegation was made by one individual. In W D's case it was decided there were no proper grounds to prosecute. I hope the same will happen with Rolf.

[edam]

I was so disappointed to hear this. Not Rolf surely...? Seems like every male entertainer from the 70s is being rounded up.

Clearly if he has done something terribly wrong I hope he does face justice, but I really hope this is a mistake.

[StealthOfficialCrispTester]

I am confused by a lot of these posts but not going any further as I don't want to speculate. but I wasn't aware of Rolf being anything less than golden boy at any point in his career. I always thought he was loved. That said I can't see someone like him having 'groupies' in the traditional way either.
All in all, whatever the outcome, this whole thing is desperately sad and awful

[SoupDragon]

It doesn't need to be "under age" at all though.

[FarelyKnuts]

"slightly under age groupies" being lesser victims then 500internalserver?

Whether or not he has done anything will be decided in a court of law but your post is using victim blaming language and rape myths. Perhaps you need to have a look at the Mumsnet We Believe You campaign information about Rape Myths?

[500internalerror]

Under age

[500internalerror]

Well, had long periods away from home & his family - remember him crying in an interview, saying he regretted that? I'd say that was prob the time anything occurred, if it did so. I think he really wasn't a golden boy at that point! Having said that, I totally agree with whoever said that he won't be in the same league as js. If anything, it'll either be slightly infer age groupies yes - or just turning a blind eye to others?

[SoupDragon]

It does seem that in these sorts of cases it is guilty until proven innocent.

[StealthOfficialCrispTester]

minko, yes I agree, it's annoying that people are deciding one way or another instead of waiing for the facts to come out. But you have done the same!

[Feenie]

I thought from a previous thread the allegations weren't related to children.

Radio 5 were very cagey about this and said they couldn't comment - the woman was a teenager at the time, apparently - but they said on Friday morning they wouldn't confirm whether it related to a child or an adult 'at this time'.

[minko]

I love Rolf and refuse to believe this.

That aside - I hate that though he has yet to be found guilty of ANYTHING, this thread has decided he's a 'dirty slimeball' and a 'paedophile'! It could all turn out to be nothing! And the poor man has been vilified at the end of a long and golden career. The shame will probably kill him...

[Sunnywithshowers]

Well, I don't believe he's guilty of anything really bad - not Rolfie, no, no.

I'm not saying anything about Rolf's guilt or not because of course I don't know. But it's not possible to tell whether someone is a sexual abuser just by looking. Unfortunately.

[dotnet]

Well, I don't believe he's guilty of anything really bad - not Rolfie, no, no. It might be possible that a groupie-type made herself available in the '60s or '70s, and Rolf took advantage, not knowing she was under 16. OR - this Yew Tree thing might bring a few people out of the woodwork who want to chance their arm with a spot of blackmail.
But ROLF HARRIS? I believe and really hope the allegations (whatever they are) aren't true. Because I believe he'll not be found to be guilty of anything other than being a nice and funny and decent and cheerful chap, I just hope he can cope with all the stress of the investigation, at his age. Must be awful. Poor old Rolf.

[StealthOfficialCrispTester]

I'm not sure what point you're making mermaid. Has anyone said that this necessarily relates to children?

[runningforme]

I used to love watching Rolf Harris as a kid....especially Rolf's cartoon club

[Thewhingingdefective]

Sorry, I worded that badly. I don't think the accusation is wrong.

[Thewhingingdefective]

No, Mermaid.

I'm not defending him, but I think the accusation of an inappropriate relationship with a girl below the age of consent is wrong, but not necessarily paedophilia or in the same league as Savile.

[StealthOfficialCrispTester]

No just in relation to yewtree

[ShanksYoni]

It's just so sad.

All of these childhood figures who were a massive part of our lives - suddenly it's changed everything. I'm not really one to go along with the whole "celebrity" thing, but this has really got to me.

All I can think of is watching him on Animal Hospital and crying along with him.

[JoshNCaitlinsMummy]

With song titles such as "Two Little Boys" and "Tie Me Kangaroo Down" I can see a lot of sillyness with be flying about the internet now, but it is still sad that once again, a trusted performer (don't like the word 'celebrity', I don't celebrate them) turns out to be a dirty slimeball.

[StealthOfficialCrispTester]

Yes I think you're right there.

[SoupDragon]

I thought from a previous thread the allegations weren't related to children.

[MurderOfGoths]

It really is, guess if he does turn out to be guilty it will really ram home the message that appearances can be deceptive