Accused Rolf Harris sings in witness box
Rolf Harris has told a jury of his rise to stardom and even sang a part of one of his famous comedy songs as he gave evidence for the first time in his indecent assault trial.
Harris is charged with 12 counts of indecent assault against four girls and young women between 1968 and 1986, many of whom say they were too intimidated by his fame to go to the police.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Harris's defence counsel Sonia Woodley QC began by asking the defendant about his biography.
As he recounted his early hits and television successes, an animated Harris brought smiles to the court with his anecdotes, a rendition of part of the song Jake the Peg and an impersonation of the sound of his famous wobble board.
At one point the 84-year-old apologised for "waxing a little lyrical" on his answers.
Harris was then asked about a holiday to Hawaii and Australia in 1978 during which one of the complainants says he began abusing her when she was 13.
Ms Woodley: "She says that when she came out of the shower, you were there and you assaulted her. Did it happen?"
Harris: "No, didn't happen."
Ms Woodley: "She said that you hugged her and she found it creepy. Have you hugged her?"
Harris: "Yes I have. I'm a very touchy feely sort of person."
Harris also denied sexually assaulting the girl on a beach, within yards of his sunbathing wife and daughter.
The jury at London's Southwark Crown Court has previously heard that Harris, known to millions in Britain and Australia as a mainstay of family entertainment, was a Jekyll and Hyde figure who gained the trust of children before repeatedly abusing them.
Prosecutor Sasha Wass QC said Harris had a "dark side" that was sexually attracted to girls, and that he groomed one of his victims "like a pet".
- ABC