Case dates back to the 70s

Jimmy Tarbuck has become the latest star to be arrested over an allegation of child sex abuse dating back to the 1970s.

The case is said to centre on an alleged assault on a young boy in Harrogate.

The 73-year-old comedian was arrested by North Yorkshire Police on April 26 and released on bail pending further enquiries.

It is understood he was arrested at his home in Kingston Upon Thames

The golf-loving Liverpudlian, affectionately known as ‘Tarby’ has enjoyed a 50-year TV career. A schoolmate of John Lennon, he became an entertainer after winning a Butlins talent competition.

His first television breakthrough came with It's Tarbuck 65! in 1964. He fronted several TV series throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s, including his own chat show Tarby and Friends, in 1984.

Tarbuck was the host of variety show Live From Her Majesty in April 1984, when Tommy Cooper collapsed on stage, live on TV, and later died.

He performed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2006, but was forced to pull out on doctor’s orders, and late last year he performed in The Royal Variety Performance.

In 1994 he was awarded an OBE by the Queen for his services to showbusiness and charity.

Tarbuck has been married to wife Pauline for more than 50 years, and their daughter is the actress Liza Tarbuck.

His arrest came after Metropolitan Police officers working on Operation Yewtree passed information on to the force, which then conducted its own investigation.

Operation Yewtree was set up following the death of Jimmy Savile in 2011,to investigate hundreds of historic sex abuse allegations about the former DJ, and others.

Police have arrested 12 men as part of the operation, including comics Freddie Starr and Jim Davidson. All deny any wrongdoing and investigations are continuing.

Published: 7 May 2013