Fury over C4's Howerd expose

Frankie Howerd's friends and family are furious over a new TV documentary raking up the comic's notoriously predatory sex life.

Channel 4 is to broadcast The Secret Sex Life Of Frankie Howerd in May, as part of a short series of programmes about well-known entertainers.

It will revive many of the stories about the comedian's lascivious homosexuality, making advances on many young men he came into contact with. Both Bob Monkhouse and Barry Cryer were among those who declined his offers.

Veteran comedy writer Alan Galton has branded Channel 4 'sad and pathetic' for repeating the stories.

He told the Daily Express: "His family and friends are very worried about the programme and didn't want Channel 4 to do it.

"I certainly never saw him try to force himself on anybody. All they want to do is dig up dir. His talent can't be overcome by the salacious stuff.

"Why don't they just put on some decent comedy instead?"

But in publicity for the show, Channel 4 said: "He built his entire act, and public persona, around a big lie.

"The loud, leering heterosexual who constantly ogled the birds was, in fact, a secretive, insecure homosexual a manic sexual predator, propositioning, leaping on and exposing himself to any and every young man he came across, whether gay or not.

Published: 27 Mar 2004