Rolf Harris' grisly final days living as a recluse in darkness and unable to eat

31 October 2023 , 19:55

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Disgraced presenter Rolf Harris died in May (Image: PA)

Rolf Harris spent his final days as a recluse living in darkness - a life worlds apart from his former glamorous existence as a celebrated entertainer on TV. His career spanned 60 years with him fronting Rolf's Cartoon Club and Animal Hospital, along with a slew of other popular children's TV shows.

But this all came crashing down in 2013 when he was arrested and charged with historic allegations of sexual offences as part of Operation Yewtree. A year later, he was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison for 12 indecent assaults on four teenage girls between 1968 and 1986, although one of those was later overturned.

He was released from prison in 2017 however reports suggested he mainly remained indoors and was severely ill. He then died in May of this year at the age of 93, with his death certificate stating neck cancer and 'frailty of old age'. Amid tonight's re-run of ITV's documentary, Rolf Harris: Hiding in Plain Sight, the Mirror takes a look back at how he lived his grisly last days...

Rolf Harris was released from jail in 2017 (PA)

Rolf Harris was said to be in a state of ill-health (AFP/Getty Images)

Judge Mr Justice Sweeney said he had taken advantage of his celebrity status and shown "no remorse". In 2016, while still in prison, Harris was charged in relation to seven unconnected historic allegations of indecent assault but was cleared on three counts and the jury was discharged before reaching a verdict on the remaining four.

He was later retried for three offences and one new charge but was acquitted after the jury could not reach a verdict. "I feel no sense of victory, only relief," Harris said in a statement at the time.

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Harris, aged 84 when he went behind bars, served nearly three years at HMP Stafford before being released on licence in May 2017. After his release, he is believed to have returned to his multi-million pound estate in Berkshire.

But no one wanted to live next to him and several neighbouring homes were put up for sale, some with millions off the asking price. Three sprawling properties were listed for sale soon after his release. One home was up at £2million below the original £10million asking price. Another, £12.5million in 2013, was relisted at £7.95million. A £6million home was taken off the market after failing to sell, while another was up at £1.55million, a £200,000 drop in just a year.

Rolf Harris served his time at HMP Stafford (GETTY)

One local told The Mirror: "Up to half the homes in the area are on sale or about to go on sale. Others want to sell – but not if we can’t get near the asking price." While resident Martin Isark said: "This used to be one of the most desirable estates in the country, partly because of the celebrities here. But not any more. I’ve been told would-be buyers now look up river at places like Sonning, where George Clooney lives."

In 2019, it was reported that Harris was living as a recluse, leaving the house only to get medication for his diabetes, which he had 'suffered from for 25 years'. He spent his days with wife Alwen Hughes, who he met at art school when she was a sculptor, and stood by him in the trial.

Harris did, however, make an infamous appearance that same year when he showed up in the grounds of a primary school where he was seen waving at children before the head teacher asked him to leave. A witness, who took pictures, told The Mirror at the time: "I couldn't believe what I was seeing."

School head Richard Jarrett shook Harris' hand before ­ordering him off the grounds - with the principal saying it was the first time the disgraced former presenter had entered the school gates. But parents were outraged that he had got anywhere near their kids.

Rolf Harris was photographed in the grounds of a primary school (Daily Mirror)

Mr Jarrett, head of Oldfield Primary School in Maidenhead, Berks, said: "We have got a pick-up and drop-off point at the school, which is 20 metres from a main road, and we have got two forms of security. We've got a wood sculptor working close to the road. He must have seen him [the sculptor] and come into the school area. He had no access to the children whatsoever.

"He explained what he was doing – that he was getting some wood from the sculptor. I said, 'You need to go'." Mr Jarrett, who has an MBE for services to education, said he had reported Harris to the police.

Harris was reported to have taken a turn for the worse after the death of his beloved poodle, becoming 'gravely ill'. Neighbour Portia Wooderson told Australian paper The Daily Telegraph: "Only carers and nurses, who care for him 24 hours, come and go. I'm told he can't eat anymore."

Rolf Harris' daughter Bindi and wife Alwen were by his side throughout his trial

Private investigator and author William Merritt confirmed Harris was sick, claiming it was difficult to understand him when he communicated. Mr Merritt penned Rolf Harris: The Defence Team's Special Investigator Reveals the Truth Behind the Trials.

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He told The Mirror: "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." However, he insisted the former TV star and artist would still try to be an entertainer on the rare occasions he had guests.

Merritt added: "As soon as one of two people walk into the room, he turns into a big kid again. He's an artistic type, and he'll try to perform on cue, even when he's unwell." It was said the curtains of the house were rarely opened before 11.30am and the couple were effectively spending entire days at home, living a reclusive life, largely in darkness. Harris has passed away at the age of 93 on May 10, 2023.

Frances Kindon