Freddie Starr: troubled comedian 'seriously ill and increasingly reclusive' after splitting from wife

Troubled comedian Freddie Starr has become seriously ill and increasingly reclusive after splitting from his wife, according to reports.

The 72-year-old television personality has seen his health deteriorate since his 33-year-old wife Sophie left him three months ago, the Sunday People reports.

His friends told the newspaper that Starr had become largely house-bound after a serious lung condition left him confined to a wheelchair.

One friend said: “People wouldn’t recognise him now. He honestly is completely unrecognisable from even a few years ago. We’re all so worried about him."

Last month Starr was questioned by police over allegations that he had headbutted his 15-year-old stepson Elliot Lea, which he denies. The alleged incident is said to have prompted his wife Sophie to walk out on him.

The veteran entertainer was previously investigated for alleged sex offences by detectives from Operation Yewtree, the national investigation launched in the wake of abuse claims against Jimmy Savile.

But after being arrested on three occasions over an 18-month period, the Crown Prosecution Service announced in May last year that there was "insufficient evidence" to charge Starr with an offence in relation to claims made by 13 women.

One had alleged that she was assaulted by Starr in prolific sex offender Jimmy Savile's dressing room when she was just 14, claims that he strenuously denied.