Rolf Harris ‘gravely ill with neck cancer’

Rolf Harris is gravely ill with neck cancer, according to a report.

The 92-year-old convicted paedophile, who is now receiving around-the-clock care, is being fed by a tube and struggles to speak owing to his poor health.

His condition has reportedly deteriorated further following the death of his beloved poodle, Bumble.

The Australian entertainer was released from Stafford Prison in England in 2017 following his conviction in 2014 of 12 counts of indecent assault against four teenage girls between 1968 and 1986.

He has not spoken publicly since his release.

Harris lives in a mansion in Maidenhead, Berkshire, with his wife of 64 years, Alwen Hughes, 90, who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

'He is still the entertainer'

A private investigator who worked for Harris’ defence team and wrote a book about the trial, described him as “gravely sick” with cancer of the neck, adding that “it’s difficult to understand him, but he is still the entertainer”.

William Merritt told the Sydney-based Daily Telegraph that as soon as one or two people enter the room “he turns into a big kid again”, adding: “He’s an artistic type, and he’ll try to perform on cue, even when he’s unwell.”

Harris’ neighbour, Portia Wooderson, said that he was very attached to Bumble and that the dog’s death had “knocked him really badly”, with Harris’ own health taking a turn for the worse soon afterwards.

“Soon after, Rolf’s own health took a turn for the worse,” she told the paper. “Only carers and nurses, who care for him 24 hours, come and go.”