Rolf Harris 'painting to cope'

Rolf Harris has been painting every day to help him cope with the allegations he faces of sex abuse.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror his wife Alwen Hughes said his family was stunned, but standing by him, and would fight for his name to be cleared. She said:

"Yes, it has been quite hard but it's all right, we're still laughing. I hope it will be OK. Rolf will carry on working... he's painting every day."

It was revealed today that veteran entertainer Rolf Harris has been questioned by police investigating allegations of sexual abuse.

The 83-year-old TV personality was first interviewed by officers last November in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

The media's delay in reporting Harris's arrest raises questions about naming suspects in the wake of the Leveson Report.

ITV News UK Editor Lucy Manning reports:

This morning ITV Daybreak reporter Cordelia Kretzschmar rang the intercom on Rolf Harris' home.

The Australian TV presenter answered but refused to speak about the reports that he has been arrested on claims of historic sexual abuse saying, "no comment" before quickly hanging up.

Reporters who rang the bell at Rolf Harris's home in Berkshire, this morning were told "no comment" by a man who answered.

A short time later, a woman visitor who rang the buzzer and said "Hi Rolf" was allowed into the property.

It is being reported that Rolf Harris has been arrested as part of Operation Yewtree, the investigation launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Media outlets had been aware of his identity but for legal reasons only reported that an 82-year-old man had been arrested.

Operation Yewtree has three main lines: 'Savile', 'Savile and others' and 'others'.

Read more: 11th Operation Yewtree arrest

After his arrest in March, just days before his 83rd birthday, a Scotland Yard spokesman said: "An 82-year-old man from Berkshire was arrested by officers on Operation Yewtree on suspicion of sexual offences.

"He has been bailed to a date in May pending further inquiries.

"The individual falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed 'others'."

It has been reported that Rolf Harris has been questioned by police in relation to historic allegations of sexual abuse.

Reports claim that police questioned the 83-year-old under caution in November before he was arrested 28th March.

He has been bailed until May.

The Australian TV personality was arrested by police investigating claims made against Jimmy Savile, although it is reported that his arrest is unrelated to the former DJ.

The Metropolitan Police have refused to comment.