Rolf Harris dead – Disgraced children’s TV star dies aged 93
Disgraced entertainer and convicted sex offender Rolf Harris has died aged 93.
The death of the Australian native, who had a successful career in entertainment, before being convicted of his crimes in 2014, was confirmed to the PA news agency by a registrar at Maidenhead Town Hall.
He is believed to have died from neck cancer, and is reported to have been receiving round-the-clock care in his final days, after becoming "gravely ill".
A statement from the family of Rolf Harris released by their solicitors said: “This is to confirm that Rolf Harris recently died peacefully surrounded by family and friends and has now been laid to rest.
“They ask that you respect their privacy. No further comment will be made.”
The Australian-born TV presenter was a family favourite for decades before being convicted of a string of indecent assaults in June 2014.
These included one on an eight-year-old autograph hunter, two on girls in their early teens and a catalogue of abuse against his daughter’s friend over 16 years.
Once a much-loved artist and musician, Harris was jailed for five years and nine months after being convicted of 12 assaults which took place between 1968 and 1986.
In May 2017, he was formally cleared of four unconnected historical sex offences, which he had denied.
Later the same year, one of the 12 indecent assault convictions was overturned by the Court of Appeal.
Harris was released on licence from HMP Stafford on May 19 2017, less than three years after his sentence began.
At the time, his was the biggest celebrity scalp to be claimed by detectives from high-profile sex crime investigation Operation Yewtree.
He was the second person convicted under the national inquiry, set up in the wake of abuse claims against late DJ and entertainer Jimmy Savile.
In light of his conviction, Harris had his 2012 Bafta fellowship removed and was stripped of his CBE. He also had Australian honours taken away.
He was made an MBE in the 1960s, OBE a decade later and CBE in 2006 – the year after he painted the late queen’s 80th birthday portrait.
The decision to revoke an honour, which can be recommended by the Honours and Appointments Secretariat to the Forfeiture Committee, must be approved by the sovereign.
In his later years, Rolf lived in Bray, Berkshire with his wife, Alwen, who is believed to be bedridden with illness – thought to be dementia.
Author William Merritt previously confirmed Rolf was "gravely sick" as he claimed it was difficult to understand him when he communicated.
Speaking to the Mirror, William said: "As far as his health goes, yes, he is very ill. But, Rolf keeps going. He's still around but he's not well at all."
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