AN INVESTIGATION into a man in his seventies in connection with Operation Yewtree has been dropped.

Information was passed to North Yorkshire Police by Metropolitan Police officers working on Operation Yewtree last year which led to the arrest of the then-73-year-old Kingston Upon Thames man on April 26.

The Press understands the man was veteran comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, now 74, and he was arrested over an allegation of child abuse involving a young boy in Harrogate in the 1970s.

Tarbuck is a comedian, entertainer and quiz show host who has spent decades working in television and has an OBE for services to showbusiness and charity.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said an investigation had been carried out and the available evidence was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service, which made the decision not to proceed with the case.

The spokeswoman said “North Yorkshire Police take all allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously and will conduct thorough investigations”, and urged anyone who requires advice or support to contact them on 101 or 999 if an emergency.”

Victims who are unsure or do not want to report incidents to the police can obtain independent and discreet support from Bridge House Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in York, by phoning 01904 669339, emailing sarc@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or visiting turntobridgehouse.org