The face of Rolf Harris was known in every British home. Fallen star of the small screen, the former BBC presenter died on May 10 of cancer and because of his "old age" at his home located in his village of Bray, southwest of London, report this Tuesday the media across the Channel. His family confirmed that he passed away "peacefully, surrounded by family and friends". His funeral was held in secret, after British media recently reported that a private ambulance with shuttered windows had been seen outside his home.
Former glory
Former swimming champion, Commander of the Order of the British Empire - a title that was withdrawn in 2015 - Rolf Harris had, among other feats of arms, painted a portrait of Elizabeth II for her 80th birthday and sang solo at Buckingham Palace on the occasion of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
But his dark side had finally prevailed. The Australian had been sentenced in 2014 to five years and nine months in prison for sexual assaults committed between 1968 and 1986 on four victims aged 8 to 19. According to several sources, Rolf Harris seemed to show no remorse and appeared totally indifferent during the trial. He had pleaded not guilty, while confessing "a shadow part".
Twelve charges
Most of the crimes for which the host was charged - he was prosecuted for twelve sexual assaults - were statute-barred, which greatly lightened his sentence. The best friend of her only daughter was among her victims: she said during the trial that she had been raped for more than fifteen years by the host.
A letter written by Rolf Harris to the father of his daughter's best friend, who fell into alcohol at a very young age after being subjected to this violence, proved his guilt. He confesses his feelings for the girl, whom he imagined to be reciprocal, and affirms that he thought the girl consented, and that there had therefore been no rape. He concludes the letter with the following formula: "Please forgive me. Love, Rolf."
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His conviction came in a period of scandal following the Jimmy Savile case in late 2012. This other star presenter of the BBC, who died in 2011 at the age of 84, considered by Scotland Yard as "the worst sexual predator" that the country has known, was particularly active in hospitals where he had his habits because of his charitable activities.
Large-scale operation
Several British public figures, including Harris, had been charged and convicted in connection with Operation Yewtree, set up in 2012 after the broadcast by the ITV television channel of a documentary particularly implicating Jimmy Savile. The three-part investigation revealed the extent of sexual abuse perpetrated by several British personalities.
In 2017, Rolf Harris was acquitted of new charges of touching and sexually assaulting three women. He was released in May of the same year, while continuing to maintain his innocence and present himself as a victim.
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He broke into British television in 1953, becoming one of the country's most beloved presenters. Presenter until 1993 of the show "Rolf's Cartoon club", introducing cartoons, he had also recorded a video as part of an anti-paedocrime campaign entitled "Children know how to say no".
Former musical star
He also topped record sales in the UK and Australia and performed seven times at the famous Glastonbury Festival. He found success in 1969 with his song "Two Little Boys", the story of two young people growing up during a war, and performed his song "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" with the Beatles.
His conviction sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom and Australia, countries he left at the age of 22 but where he has long been considered a national hero.