‘Surreal’ moment Rolf Harris broke into song while being grilled by policed exposed in new ITV documentary
SHAMED entertainer Rolf Harris stunned Operation Yewtree detectives by singing his song Sun Arise after being grilled over his sex crimes.
His “arrogant” behaviour, as described by officers, during questioning will be revealed in the second episode of a new two-part ITVX documentary about him, which airs tomorrow.
Viewers will see Detective Sergeant Gary Pankhurst speaking about the first exchange they had with Harris in November 2012.
It was a voluntary interview under caution, when he started humming to himself and later broke into song, which is replayed in the documentary.
Gary said: “When we finished an interview, we’re sitting there and then he just breaks into singing Sun Arise.”
The unnamed detective who was working alongside him added: “The whole song all the way through, to Gary and myself.
“It was massively surreal.
“I can remember Gary and I looking at ourselves, kind of like, what do we do now?”
Sun Arise was a track released by Harris in the early Sixties, which reached No3 in the UK charts.
The Yewtree detectives told how there was nothing “natural” or “honest” about Harris, who was later jailed for five years in 2014 for sexually assaulting four underage girls.
They said all he cared about was his “credibility”, believing the allegations would “just go away”.
Also in the second episode, one of Harris’ accusers reveals the children’s TV star paid private investigators to find out what evidence she, and other informers, had against him.
She told how “they turned up at the houses of girls I hadn’t seen since I was 18. They tried everything”.
The accuser, who cannot be named, was also trolled for speaking out against him: “Men ringing work asking me how big my t**s were, and the Twitter messages and the emails suggesting I was lying.”
She added: “I have asked myself, if I’d known it would end up in me being in court, would I have done it?
“I would have done, I think, but not because I am noble, but because you’re sort of on a train track by then.”
- Rolf Harris: Hiding In Plain Sight is available to watch on ITVX from tomorrow.
MISCHA SIGNS UP TO…
HOLLYWOOD actress Mischa Barton has lent the Aussie soap some Tinseltown sparkle for its comeback.
The O.C. actress, who played wildchild Marissa Cooper, has got the role of Reece Sinclair, an American newcomer to Erinsborough.
She posed with Ramsay Street residents Karl and Susan Kennedy, aka Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne.
Mischa, who has never seen an episode, said: “I was familiar with it, probably the same things that most people recognise about the show, like Kylie Minogue and the fun stuff.
“When the producers approached me, I thought the character of Reece Sinclair was a very good fit.”
The new chapter of Neighbours starts on Amazon Freevee in the autumn.
Meanwhile closer to home, Corrie is welcoming a wildchild of its own, former Hollyoaks star Stephanie Davis.
She played Sinead O’Connor in the Channel 4 soap and joins as maneater Courtney Vance from July.
LEN BACK IN FUNNY BUSINESS
SIR Lenny Henry is returning to this comedy roots for a new TV project.
After dabbling in fantasy drama with a role in Lord Of The Rings series The Rings Of Power, he is meeting four of our best comedians to explore how they make people laugh.
The Channel 4 four-parter, called Legends Of Comedy With Lenny Henry, will dedicate an episode each to Paul Whitehouse, Sally Phillips, Romesh Ranganathan and Alexei Sayle.
Lenny: said: “It was great fun spending time with my friends and hearing about what makes them laugh – and what they take inspiration from.
“I hope the audience enjoys it as much as I did.”
As well as deep conversations with the comedians, they will also delve through archive clips to find out how they made their mark.
We can expect plenty of funny business, too.
ROSE ALL SET FOR NEW TASK
ROSE MATAFEO has been chosen as host for the first series of Junior Taskmaster.
The Kiwi comic takes on the part of Greg Davies from the adult version of the Channel 4 show.
She is joined by British comedian Mike Wozniak in Alex Horne‘s sidekick role as they oversee the young contestants’ bizarre tasks.
Rose said: “To be appointed as Junior Taskmaster is one of the greatest honours of my already wildly successful career.
“I am greatly looking forward to the power going to my head.”
Mike added: “All I ever wanted to be when I grew up was a Little Alex Horne.
“I hereby vow to do my utmost to hold the office of Junior Taskmaster’s Assistant in the spirit of the original Little Alex Horne.”
They're on!
BBC chiefs have announced two new factual shows featuring some well-known names.
In Go West, The Hairy Bikers head on a coastal journey from Scotland to Devon, while the host of Great British Menu uses her cooking skills at parties across the UK in Andi Oliver‘s Big Bash.
SURGE IN TRAITORS HOPEFULS
THE Traitors debut series was such a success that it has sparked a boom in applications for the follow-up.
Bosses have a real job on their hands because they intend to scrutinise every one.
Executive producer Sarah Fay said at the Wales Screen Summit yesterday: “Series one had 1,500 applications.
“As of this morning, series two has had 40,000. Our casting team are happy to change the way we approach it this year.
“We will look at all 40,000. We want to make sure we are unearthing that gold.
“We’ll still go out and target people who wouldn’t necessarily apply.”
The tagline for the reality show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, is a warning to those who feel they have the inside track: “You think you know how to play the game? You don’t know anything.”
DAVID JOY AT VERA REUNION
BRENDA BLETHYN wasn’t lonely for long as she reunites with her Vera co-star.
The actress, who plays DCI Vera Stanhope, is back with David Leon, who reprises his role of DS Joe Ashworth.
He hasn’t been seen on the crime series since the end of series four in 2014.
But the actor will be making up for lost time as his character crosses paths with Vera once more in the upcoming 13th instalment due on our screens later this year.
Brenda said: “Support from the locals in the North East is truly heart-warming.
“Reuniting with the talented David Leon and the rest of our exceptional team is an absolute delight.”
David added: “I’m thrilled to be returning to Vera. It’s fantastic to be back.”
Force's turbulence
THE US writers’ strike may bring about a disturbance in the force.
Filming for the fourth series of Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian, starring Pedro Pascal, was yesterday reportedly delayed, with Disney+ bosses pushing back filming from September to the end of the year.