Comedian Freddie Starr has cancelled a performance to concentrate on defending allegations that he molested a schoolgirl in Jimmy Savile’s BBC dressing room.
Starr, 69, claims he was “made to feel like a criminal” when officers investigating former children’s TV presenter Jimmy Savile arrested him in Warwickshire.
He was taken into police custody overnight on suspicion of sexual offences. Starr has denied that he groped a girl of 14 in a dressing room with Savile in the 1970s.
Fans were expecting to see the comedian perform his Back from the Jungle Tour at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, Wilts., toda , despite his arrest on Thursday.
Around 300 tickets – costing £19.50 – had been sold for the event, which was due to start at 7.30pm.
But Wyvern Theatre director Derek Aldridge said the show would not go on, following discussions with Starr and his team.
He said: “Following the weekend, we have held further discussions with Freddie Starr and his management team and have agreed that the show will no longer take place at the Wyvern Theatre on Wednesday 7 November.
“Freddie apologises to the hundreds of loyal fans who had purchased tickets, but hopes they understand that he is concentrating on defending the allegations made against him.
“We will be contacting customers to refund their tickets.”
A spokesman for the Wyvern Theatre admitted that just 300 tickets were sold for Starr’s performance – out of 635 on sale.
But he denied that the comedian was disappointed with ticket sales – or that the theatre had taken the decision unilaterally – and said the venue had not been contacted by fans angry about the allegations.
He said: “The reason for the cancellation is simply so that Freddie can concentrate on defending the allegations.
“He apologises to fans who have bought tickets.”
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