Rolf Harris Is A Good Guy, Says 'King Of Pantomime' Paul Elliott

Rolf Is A Good Guy, Says 'King Of Pantomime'

A man calling himself the "king of pantomime" described Rolf Harris as a consummate professional who never did anything inappropriate when they worked on the stage together, as he gave evidence in his trial.

Theatre producer Paul Elliott said the entertainer and artist starred in many of his productions up and down the country in the 1980s and 90s and he would have been aware if there had ever been any complaints about him.

Asked by Harris's defence counsel, Sonia Woodley QC, whether he ever did anything to cause him concern when interacting with the child or young adult performers in his shows, Elliott replied: "Absolutely not."

Rolf Harris, centre, arrives for his trial with his wife Alwen Hughes, right, and daughter Bindi

And questioned whether the Australian ever demonstrated any behaviour that caused he himself concern, he answered: "No."

Asked to describe the entertainer to the court, Mr Elliott said: "Rolf is funny. He's warm. He's jolly. He's an incredibly hard worker.

"He's a good friend to have. He's always there when you need him. He's done several things for me where he's gone above and beyond the call of duty."

Asked what made Harris such a successful performer, Elliott added: "He's unique. Completely and utterly unique.

"He does things which other people cannot do. He has a rapport with an audience.

"It's kind of a love-in when he's doing his shows. He can play instruments, he can sing, he can tell jokes.

"He talks to people one to one even if there are two thousand of them in the room."

Elliott, who said he has produced hundreds of pantomimes around the world, was asked if he thought Harris was professional, answering: "Very."

Harris's cross examination was interrupted for Elliott to give his own evidence and he will continue to be questioned tomorrow.

Earlier, the 84-year-old conceded that when he complimented a teenage friend of his daughter's on her bikini during the holiday in the 1970s, he was actually complimenting her body.

Harris said he knew that touching a 13-year-old was a criminal offence, but denied anything had happened.

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