Rolf Harris

Just a little bit bad then Tricia

I've never liked him. Something about him. Never imagined this though.

TriciaF
It doesn't mean he was all bad. Just that he had this terrible weakness in his nature. Common in many people (mostly men) not just celebrities

That statement made my blood run cold, that weakness in his (if found guilty) and others nature robs children of their childhood, and no its not something that can ever be forgiven.

Her maj would have set the corgis on him.

" not that I think she was at risk in any way."

No anno. I don't think she was.

And so do I, papaoscar.

You're very forgiving,TF. If they find him guilty I hope he suffers for the rest of his miserable life. The sexual abuse of children is unforgivable no matter who does it or whatever the circumstances.

I wonder how the Queen feels now about having had her portrait done by RH, not that I think she was at risk in any way.

It doesn't mean he was all bad. Just that he had this terrible weakness in his nature.
Common in many people (mostly men) not just celebrities.

Once people have built up in their own minds an image of what a person is like, they, no doubt subconsciously, are resistant to anything that challenges that image, so I'm not sure "gut feeling" is a reliable indicator.

Parents often say how much they trusted and liked a person who is later found to have sexually assaulted their children, and quite often these people are very good at presenting themselves as being affable and trustworthy.

That's not to say that I'm pre-judging this case or any other case but it worries me a bit that people might unknowingly let their pre-conceived notions of what a person is like affect the manner in which they weigh the evidence.

Having been a huge fan of RH for many years, I simply didn't want to
believe that he could do these dreadful things..... it's a big shock, -
almost as bad as when I found out that Rock Hudson was gay. (not that I have anything against being gay, but Rock Hudson!!!).
I'm still hoping that it's all a big mistake and that Rolf is innocent.
But it's looking dubious now, sadly.
It's so disillusioning when people we put on pedestals fall off them.

I wonder how many entertainers are remotely like their public persona? After all it's called show business. They are putting on a show. Cynical I know but I have used this saying on GN before 'believe none of what you hear and half of what you see'. Of course this cynicism has come with age. I have done my share of idolising pop stars and famous people in my time.

I have been shocked by this, having been quite a fan. I had hoped it wasn't true, but the notes of apology indicate he was guilty.
He disappeared from public view for a few years, as you say. In interviews since he says he had a breakdown and depression, which I believed as entertainers do tend to burn out.

I have a feeling that there were boys involved, but it was a long time ago.

Yes I remember something too Elegran.

Out of all the men accused so far, Rolf Harris is the one who I would never in a million years have suspected of these sort of crimes. I will, however, await the verdict, but will continue to hope that he is proved innocent, but beyond any doubt, not just because of insufficient evidence.

I always used to think that Rolf Harris was one of the good guys.

Even if the affair started when the girl was 18, he was still cheating on his wife.

I never liked RH - I think it was the beard! I agree the evidence, especially the notes of apology, do seem to be stacking up against him, although he is adamant that whatever took place was when the girls were over the age of consent.

His wife not is wife!

I have said to my husband 'why is is wife grinning' . We wondered if perhaps she is in some way unwell.

Harris - the evidence is beginning to stack-up against him, but I do not know if conclusive proof of his guilt can be established, even though his written admissions must go a long way towards achieving that end. Certainly his conduct seems to have been fairly common knowledge amongst those who knew him. So why the 'not-guilty' pleas? If this man is found guilty I would throw the book at him. In the meantime we'll just wait and see...

I agree with gillybob but I still think that these men should be innocent until proven guilty. I feel sorry for the two Coronation Street characters whose names escape me because they will always have the "did he or didn't he" hanging over their heads although proven innocent.

Do I remember a rumour about him many years ago? He disappeared from British TV soon after that, and did not return for a long time.

I totally agree with you GillT57 I quite liked Rolf when I was a child. Jake the Peg and Two little Boys were favourites of mine. Like ga I don't want it to be true but time will tell and the more I read about letters and postcards of apology the worse it is beginning to look.