Latest news with #DesOConnor
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bruce Forsyth's widow 'saddened' by BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke's comments
Sir Bruce Forsyth's wife, Lady Wilnelia Forsyth, has hit back at comments made by his former Strictly Come Dancing co-star Anton Du Beke. Sir Bruce died back in 2017, with his ashes being interred beneath the stage of London Palladium, a site chosen by his family due to the theatre being where the star made his breahthrough on the stage. Singer Des O'Connor's ashes are also housed at the iconic venue, leading Anton to say: "I know that Brucie would have been furious about this because he was never a double act." Read more: Emmerdale and Coronation Street bosses announce new way to watch hours before episodes air on ITV Lady Forsyth has hit back, saying she was "shocked and saddened" by Anton's words. In an interview with the Daily Mail, she said: "It's a place that we thought would be appropriate. The whole family thought that it would be the best place for him to be - and we still feel that way." A plaque on the theatre's wall reads: "Without question the UK's greatest entertainer, he rests in peace within the sound of music, laughter and dancing... exactly where he would want to be". Despite his recent faux pas, Anton has not shied away from praising Sir Bruce. He has lauded the late dancer as an exceptional performer who embodied generosity, kindness, and a fantastic sense of humour. However, despite his self-proclaimed status as a Brucie super fan, Anton was mistaken about one detail. Contrary to his assertion that Bruce never formed part of a double act, the renowned entertainer once graced the Palladium stage alongside another variety legend, Norman Wisdom, in 1961. Bruce and Norman single-handedly filled an entire episode of ITV's Sunday Night at the London Palladium after it faced potential cancellation due to industrial action. On Sunday, 16th February, no members of the actors' union were allowed to participate in the live broadcast from the Palladium – effectively ruling out nearly every performer scheduled to appear. Neither Bruce nor Norman was restricted by the picket line, as they were members of the competing Variety Artistes' Federation. In a largely spontaneous performance, the duo sang, danced, and joked their way through the entire show – which included a chaotic sketch about decorators attempting to hang wallpaper that subsequently became a part of TV history.
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Police officer who sent string of messages to Des O'Connor's daughter after she was mugged should have been sacked from force, panel rules
A Scotland Yard detective who sexually harassed Des O'Connor's daughter should have been sacked, a misconduct panel has ruled. Former detective chief inspector James Mason was given a final written warning in October 2021 after calling Kristina O'Connor his 'favourite Camden victim of crime ' and asking her on a date when she was injured during an attempted robbery a decade earlier. Mason, 47, had committed gross misconduct by 'deliberately and repeatedly abusing his position for a sexual purpose,' the panel had found at the time. But it was decided that dismissing or demoting him would have been 'disproportionately harsh.' The same panel reconvened this week and ruled that Mason, who resigned from the force in November 2022, should have been sacked, however. Delivering the panel's findings, Christopher McKay said he had caused harm to the force's reputation. 'Women and girls should feel confident that they are treated with courtesy and understanding if they attend a police station to make a complaint,' he said. In a statement after the decision, Ms O'Connor, 37, who wept as it was handed down at Sutton Police station in south London, called for the police to be abolished. 'My experience has taught me that the police cannot be trusted with women's safety,' the daughter of the late comedian and presenter said. 'I was abused by a police officer who should have been helping me. 'Since reporting his behaviour I have seen first-hand how the police were more interested in protecting themselves than helping me find justice, or protecting other women. 'I have spent many years questioning whether the policing system can be fixed, and have come to the conclusion that if we are serious about women's safety, it needs replacing entirely. 'I believe we need to abolish the police and establish an entirely new public service that actually protects and cares for women and communities.' Ms O'Connor was bruised and suffered a black eye during the attempted robbery in 2011 and was taken to Kentish Town police station after the attack. While taking her statement Mason, then a detective sergeant ten years her senior, asked if he could take her to dinner that evening. The next day he emailed the then 24-year-old, asking her out for a drink and remarking that despite her injuries 'I am sure you still look amazingly hot.' When she asked him to stop, Mr Mason wrote: 'Coming on to victims is positively encouraged, it's all part of the friendly and accessible face of the Met Police. It's the rejection that is frowned upon.' Ms O'Connor had previously been unsuccessful in a 2023 High Court legal challenge against the panel's original decision, but the Court of Appeal ruled in January that it should be reconsidered. Her lawyer, Nancy Collins, of Bindmans Law, said the decision reflects the severity of the harassment her client suffered from an officer in whom she had placed her trust. 'It cannot be right that police officers who abuse their positions of power, undermine public confidence in policing and cause harm to victims of crime, are allowed to continue in their role,' she added. 'Anything less than dismissal would signal that sexual misconduct is acceptable and discourage victims from speaking out.' Mason will be placed on the police Barred list. Detective superintendent Neil Smithson, of the Metropolitan Police, said: 'The Commissioner has made it very clear that officers who abuse their position of trust and authority have no place in the Met.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Des O'Connor's daughter says police 'cannot be trusted with women's safety' after decision not to sack officer who called her 'amazingly hot' and sexually harassed her while investigating her mugging
The daughter of Des O'Connor said police 'cannot be trusted with women's safety' after a police officer was not sacked for calling her 'amazingly hot' and sexually harassing her while investigating her mugging. Former Metropolitan Police detective chief inspector James Mason was given a final written warning by the panel in October 2021 for calling Kristina O'Connor, 37, his 'favourite Camden victim of crime ' and asking her out after she was injured in an attempted robbery in October 2011. A police misconduct panel previously found that Mr Mason, 47, used his authority to sexually harass her and that his behaviour amounted to gross misconduct, but ruled that it would have been 'disproportionately harsh' to sack him or reduce his rank. Mr Mason subsequently resigned from the force in 2022. The same panel reconvened on Thursday at Sutton police station to hear legal representations. In 2011, after being bruised and given a black eye during an attempted robbery, Ms O'Connor reported the attack and was taken to Kentish Town police station, a court heard. While taking down her statement, Mr Mason, then a detective sergeant, asked if he could take her out for dinner that evening. He then emailed her the next day asking her out for a drink and told her that despite her injuries: 'I am sure you still looking amazingly hot.' When she asked him to stop, Mr Mason wrote: 'Coming on to victims is positively encouraged, it's all part of the friendly and accessible face of the Met Police. It's the rejection that is frowned upon.' Ms O'Connor, who was 24 at the time of the incident, was unsuccessful in a 2023 High Court legal challenge against the panel's decision after alleging Mr Mason's actions were 'predatory and abusive', and the police had 'failed to properly investigate' a complaint. She appealed against the High Court ruling at a hearing in December last year, with the Court of Appeal ruling in January that the panel should reconsider its decision. Ms O'Connor, whose late father was a comedian, singer and television presenter, said she wanted to 'encourage women to continue to speak out, if they feel able to'. In a statement issued by Bindmans law firm, Ms O'Connor said: 'Regardless of the panel's decision, my experience has taught me that the police cannot be trusted with women's safety. 'I was abused by a police officer who should have been helping me. Since reporting his behaviour I have seen first-hand how the police were more interested in protecting themselves than helping me find justice, or protecting other women. 'I have spent many years questioning whether the policing system can be fixed and have come to the conclusion that if we are serious about women's safety, it needs replacing entirely.' David Messling, representing the Metropolitan Police at Thursday's hearing, said Mr Mason's conduct harmed 'public trust in policing'. Mr Messling told the panel: 'It was conduct that continued despite the victim challenging it and the officer indicating that he was fully aware the conduct was improper. 'This was an example of a police officer who was looking to take sexual advantage, by means of his position, of a vulnerable victim of crime. 'It goes to the heart of public trust and confidence in the police. We all understand the need to be on guard against crime, but victims of crime should not have to be on their guard against police officers.' Mitigating for Mr Mason, Ailsa Williamson said his conduct was 'not planned' and was 'limited to a period of two successive days'. Ms Williamson told the panel: 'While Mr Mason did not intend any harm to Ms O'Connor, he should have anticipated his attempts to pursue her could have impacted her trust in police officers. 'The harassment does not involve any physical contact and does not persist beyond those two days.' Discussing Mr Mason, Ms Williamson added: 'From the outset he's always accepted that his actions were inappropriate and unprofessional, and he continues to offer his unreserved apology to Ms O'Connor. 'He deeply recognises and regrets the harm caused to Ms O'Connor, the reputation of the Metropolitan Police Service and to those closest to him affected by these proceedings.' Ms O'Connor made a complaint against the Metropolitan Police in 2020 after a Facebook memory showed her the original emails, before taking legal action against the panel's decision. Nancy Collins, who is representing Ms O'Connor, said: 'Kristina has been extraordinarily brave in her tireless pursuit for justice. 'She chose to waive her anonymity and fight to challenge the outcome of a complaints process that failed to reflect the gravity of the experience she suffered through the serious misconduct of an officer in whom she had placed her trust. 'She has exposed the failures of the system. It is imperative that those who abuse positions of power are properly held to account and that the gravity of their actions is accurately reflected in any penalty awarded.'
