Jim Davidson to miss Celebrity Big Brother after arrest

 
Tom Harper3 January 2013
The Weekender

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Comedian Jim Davidson will not appear in Celebrity Big Brother after his arrest by detectives investigating the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal, it was claimed today.

The entertainer had been due to appear on the Channel 5 show, which starts a new series tonight. It is thought he took the decision to pull out.

Bosses were today forced to line up a last-minute replacement after Davidson, 59, was seized at Heathrow yesterday as he flew into Britain to take part.

The ex-host of BBC shows Big Break and The Generation Game was taken to a London police station and questioned for hours on suspicion of sexual offences then freed on bail till March.

His solicitor said in a statement that the comedian “vigorously denies” the allegations, which he added date back about 25 years. Davidson was arrested at about midday by detectives from Operation Yewtree, set up in the wake of the Savile sex revelations.

Several plain-clothed officers then searched his £900,000 Georgian home in the Hampshire village of Stockbridge. They later left carrying boxes which appeared to contain plastic evidence bags and brown envelopes.

A 53-year-old man from Hampshire, believed to be an entertainer who once worked with the comedian, was also arrested yesterday.

In October, Davidson wrote on his blog: “The Savile witch hunt is going a bit silly now. We all are starting to speculate and accuse ... even in jest. So no, I don’t know who’s next. Everyone has had the nod. Everyone is an expert. Just pick someone you don’t like and say it’s them. As odd as he was, Savile can’t defend himself. The bloke’s dead for God’s sake. Let’s move on.”

Other high-profile names arrested as part of the probe include comedian Freddie Starr, former pop star Gary Glitter and publicist Max Clifford. All deny the allegations.

Scotland Yard said a total of 31 allegations of rape have been made against Savile so far. And 589 people have come forward with information relating to the scandal, with a total of 450 complaints against the late BBC star, mainly alleging sexual abuse.

Davidson’s solicitor Henri Brandman said in his statement: “Two women have made allegations in respect of Jim that date back approximately 25 years. The complainants were then in their mid-twenties. Jim vigorously denies the allegations.

“He answered police questions as fully as he was able after this passage of time. He has not been charged with any offence.”

Also today there were claims that US actress Lindsay Lohan is to feature on Celebrity Big Brother after she flew into London to celebrate New Year.

Last night the troubled star was spotted leaving Nozomi restaurant in Knightsbridge with her former boyfriend Josh Chunn.

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