25 more celebrities face probe by Jimmy Savile police

THE police probe into sex abuse by Jimmy Savile could also be investigating claims against 25 other celebrities, it emerged last night.

The potential suspects, mostly made up of retired TV and radio stars, have been given to detectives in a list of tipoffs, according to a report.

Officers are said to believe there is enough evidence to arrest at least a dozen of those named.

The celebrities arrested and questioned so far have included singer Gary Glitter, 68, and 69-year-old comedian Freddie Starr.

Celebrity PR guru Max Clifford, 69, was last week questioned on suspicion of sexual assault in the part of the
Savile inquiry looking at separate claims described as “others”.

He was bailed until later this month. All strongly deny allegations against them.

Another half dozen stars are set to be arrested later this month and in the new year, according to the report.

A source close to Operation Yewtree, the police inquiry set up in response to the claims against Savile, told a Sunday newspaper: “We are halfway through.

“They all tend to be white men of the Savile generation.”

In some cases, victims are said to have offered the names of their alleged abusers while refusing to give witness
statements to police.

But in at least a dozen cases, detectives are reported to believe there is enough evidence for the celebrities to
be detained.

Max Clifford was the fifth suspect to be arrested — and sixth person to be quizzed — last week.

His arrest followed the questioning of a man in his 80s from Berkshire, who was interviewed under caution on suspicion of sexual offences.

DJ Dave Lee Travis, 67, was the fourth man to be held and was subsequently bailed in November.

Former BBC producer Wilfred De’ath, 75, remains on bail following his arrest.

Both Lee Travis and Mr De’ath deny wrongdoing. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the force was “not giving a running commentary on this investigation”.

Last month Scotland Yard said it was dealing with about 450 potential victims, the vast majority of whom
claimed they had fallen prey to Savile.

Officers are looking at three strands within their inquiry — allegations against Savile, those where suspects are said to have committed crimes with Savile, and separate claims against other stars.