Freddie Starr hopes to 'clear his good name'

By Patrick McLennan
( What's on TV )
published

(Image credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Freddie Starr's lawyer says the comedian is hopeful he will soon be able to clear his name after being investigated for alleged sexual offences.

Starr, 70, was due to answer bail today (Wednesday) after he was first arrested in November as part of Operation Yewtree, the investigation sparked in the wake of the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal.

The performer was re-arrested in April under additional allegations, and Scotland Yard re-bailed him until August 28 and he was not required to attend a police station.

Starr's lawyer Dean Dunham said: "Mr Starr was due to answer bail today, Wednesday June 19. However, the police have decided to re-bail him to August 28 and in the circumstances he was not required to attend the police station today.

"Mr Starr has maintained his innocence throughout and has assisted the police with their inquiries at all times.

"We are hopeful that the police inquiries are drawing close to a conclusion at which time Mr Starr will be able to confirm that he has publicly cleared his good name and reputation."

 

Patrick McLennan
Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.