Comic Freddie Starr arrested in Redditch over harassment claim

Oct 7 2009 By Adam Aspinall

MADCAP comic Freddie Starr has been arrested on suspicion of harassment in Redditch, it was revealed today.

The dad-of-five was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of harassing his estranged wife, Donna, aged 38, who lives in the town.

A source said: “I was working in Redditch police station and couldn’t believe my eyes when Freddie Starr was there.”

Today, a West Mercia Police spokeswoman said: “A man was arrested on October 4 in Redditch on suspicion of harassment.

“He was questioned at Redditch police station and was later released on bail pending further inquiries.”

Freddie, aged 66, was unavailable for comment and his agent, David Halford, said he had no idea if Freddie had been arrested or not.

He said: “Freddie is on tour at the minute so I’ve no idea what has happened but I have been trying to phone over the last few days and have not been able to contact him.”

Freddie and Donna wed in 1998 and have a young daughter, Ebony.

The Liverpudlian star has led a colourful life in the public eye and previously enjoyed success on stage and screen.

More than 12 million viewers tuned into his self-titled TV show in the 1980s and he made a fortune from sell-out tours and video and DVD sales.

But the comic also had to contend with a string of personal problems.

Freddie, who has four children from his first marriage, recently revealed how his violent drunken father regularly beat him – and even broke his legs.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail in 2008, he said: “I don’t feel anger towards him anymore, I just feel sorry for him.

“I have forgiven him for it.

“I’ve been through so much.

“My four children from my other marriage don’t speak to me at all now and my daughter didn’t invite me to her wedding. I haven’t seen her for 10 years or more.

“I missed out on them growing up because I was always touring so they just divorced me.

“But I’m trying to make up for that with Ebony. You do over-compensate but I want to make sure that I provide for her and Donna.”