Jimmy Savile

It's one of the articles in the table of contents on that page, merlot!

Have just read the article. It's astounding.....

Just read the article I am speechless

Thank you, anno. Right under my nose.

What a shocking article. I remember my parents and grandparents saying Gilbert Harding was a grumpy old so and so but he was a respected TV personality. I was nine when I realised Uncle Mac only had one eye, one leg and was in a wheelchair. In my mind's eye he had the looks of a matinee idol. I wouldn't have understood anything else. How duped we all were. What bastards!

I think I remember Gilbert Harding being interviewed on television - there was a recording of it a while ago. He appeared to be very 'depressed' and wanted to die - he seemed as if there was something that he wanted to say, but didn't. Can anyone else remember seeing that programme?

2 more arrests, a retired bishop and a vicar.

Marelli Was it a programme called Face to Face?

I can't get into the article either - just teh lrb and a list of books. Any advice?

Mishap you will find the article within the list, then click on it to read.

God help them!

Yes the Gilbert Harding interview was in the series Face to Face in which celebrities were interviewed by John Freeman. It was unusually probing for the time - Harding was reduced to tears by the subject of his mother who was, I believe, recently deceased.

Another famous interview in the series was that with Tony Hancock, who was obviously uncomfortable under the pressure of questions about his happiness or otherwise, and the money his success had, at that time brought him.

The set consisted of panels with expressionist portraits of the interviewee by Feliks Topolski.

I hope that all men (possibly some women) who have abused vulnerable people are shaking in their shoes. I have no sympathy for them - they cannot help their desires, but they didn't have to act on them, and their targeting of powerless victims makes them beyond pity.

Very well put, Greatnan

Found the article - phew! I think I need a lie-down!

It's as though part of my childhood was based on a nightmare, if you know what I mean.
I find that article very sad and disgusting at the same time

That's just how I feel. Ella; especially looking back to a time when I felt that childhood was just that, with children not having the pressure of having to grow up before their time. Also favourite programmes such as Round the Horne; Julian and Sandy for example. The ambiguity doesn't seem so amusing now .

I remember looking forward to seeing 'Uncle Mac' - my mother used to call me in to watch it. Did he not also used to host a show called 'All Your Own' - a type of talent show for children? I feel the same as Ella46.

I don't remember him being on the Telly, Marelli and I think Huw Weldon presented 'All Your Own' but I could be wrong.

Like others have said, I have no sympathy for adult sex offenders who abuse children and steal their childhoods. Whether or not they were corrupted into offending, they are exercising a choice to harm children. That is unforgivable.

The pity I do feel is for them when they were children themselves, and would have been coerced, persuaded or groomed into being sexually abused by adults, or even other children who would have been 'socialised' into such behaviour. I often think about those abused children, who are looking for justice now they are adults, and wonder about the small percentage of them who have ended up repeating this behaviour themselves. The terrible harm that one sex offender can inflict has wide ripples

I wonder if fewer men will abuse children in the future because they are able to be open about their sexuality and have relationships with other adults?
I am ever the optimist.

Or will it drive those men and their activities even deeper underground?
I'm afraid I can't be as optimistic!

Unfortunately no, Greatnan - attraction to children is independent of whether they are gay, bi or straight. Sex offenders who are free to have adult relationships with any gender of their preference will still abuse pre-pubescent children and teenagers if they get the opportunity. Abusing priests may be allowed to marry one day, but it will not stop them abusing children.

I didn't mean to imply that all paedophiles are gay - far from it - as I know girls are targeted at least as often as boys. I am just trying to find some ray of hope for the future of our children. I know there needs to be much more research into how and why people become abusers. The fact that corporal punishment is not officially allowed in schools seems to be cancelled out by the enormous availability of sadism on the internet. That damned stupid book hasn't helped (50 shades....)

See! Already Marelli is identifying the wrong person. Just shows how easily false accusations get about.

(I don't mean Marelli did anything wrong there of course. But mistakes are easily made)

No, I know you didn't imply that Greatnan. I inferred you were talking about having an outlet for expressing sexuality and orientation in a more open society. Sadly, opening up opportunities to express one's sexual proclivities only serves to allow some sex offenders to believe they are free to abuse children.