Rolf Harris’ cause of death has been confirmed following the release of the disgraced entertainer’s death certificate.
The TV presenter died of neck cancer and “fragility of old age” at his home in Bray, Berkshire on May 10, according to the official document.
His death was confirmed by a registrar at Maidenhead Town hall which was later registered by his former PA Lisa Ratcliff on Tuesday afternoon (May 23) just hours before his passing was made public.
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The late TV star “died peacefully surrounded by family and friends and has now been laid to rest”, his family announced.
The statement from his family, released through a solicitor, continued: “This is to confirm that Rolf Harris recently died peacefully surrounded by family and friends and has now been laid to rest.
“They ask that you respect their privacy. No further comment will be made.”
It is understood Harris is due to be cremated after his family confirmed his funeral had already taken place.
The Australian-born artist was a fan-favourite for decades before he was convicted for a string of indecent assaults back in June 2014.
He served three years of a five year and nine month sentence after he was found guilty of 12 counts of sexual assault, one of which was later overturned on unsafe grounds.
The entertainer assaulted four underage female victims during the 1970s and 1980s, and was later stripped of his AO and CBE when his crime came to light.
Harris lived in Berkshire with his wife of 64 years, Alwen Hughes, after he was released from prison in May 2017.
Harris reportedly became ill after the death of one of his poodles, with his neighbour Portia Wooderson telling the Australian Daily Telegraph in October: "Only carers and nurses, who care for him 24 hours, come and go. I'm told he can't eat anymore."
Meanwhile, Harris' wife Alwen is also said to be very ill and has been frail for a number of years, suffering from Alzheimer's.
Throughout his career, Harris became known for his comedy songs including Jake the Peg and Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport, as well as his skill at playing the didgeridoo.
He became a household name on various BBC and ITV shows throughout his career, staring in everything from My Family to Run for Your Life.
The disgraced actor also featured in The Sooty Show, Olive the Ostrich and Fetch the Vet.
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He was made an MBE in the 1960s, an OBE a decade later and a CBE in 2006 – the year after he painted the late Queen’s 80th portrait.
It was unveiled at Buckingham Palace on December 19, 2005 which was exhibited at Buckingham Palace and Holyroodhouse and taken on a tour of public galleries throughout the UK.
After his conviction, the painting disappeared.
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