Comedian Jim Davidson arrested and bailed over sex allegations

Jim Davidson ‘vigorously denies’ sex abuse allegations during Operation Yewtree’s latest probe...

12:04 03 January 2013

PUBLISHED 2 JAN UPDATE 3 JAN

 

British funny man Jim Davidson, 59, and one other male, aged 54, were arrested by the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday with regards to sex abuse allegations, and have now been released on bail. Mr. Davidson ‘vigorously denies’ the accusations.

 

These mark the latest arrests as part of Operation Yewtree, which was set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile saga to investigate claims of sexual offences.

 

However, police have stated that these arrests were not part of the Jimmy Savile case as “both individuals fall under the strand of the investigation we have termed 'others’”.

 

The comedian, famous for TV game shows The Generation Game and Big Break, is reported to have been detained at Heathrow airport after arriving in the UK from Dubai. It was understood he would appear on Channel 5's reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother, being aired Thursday night, but it is thought he has pulled out.

 

Mr. Davidson’s solicitor said in a statement: “Two women have made allegations in respect of Jim that date back approximately 25 years. The complainants were then in their mid-20s.

 

“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. Neither he nor I will be making any further comment.”

 

A spokesperson for the Met Police previously said of the arrests, as reported by The Independent: “A 53-year-old man was arrested at approximately 8am at an address in Hampshire and taken into custody locally.

 

“A 59-year-old man ('Yewtree 10') was arrested at approximately midday in west London and taken into custody at a London police station.”

 

It is believed that Mr. Davidson and the unnamed man will return for further questioning in March this year.