Freddie Starr to emigrate to Spain

British comedian Freddie Starr is reportedly set to move to Spain after losing his libel case against a woman who alleges he groped her when she was a child.

The 72-year-old, who suffers from a debilitating lung disease and requires a carer and a wheelchair, feels he needs a fresh start and that quitting the UK is the best option for him. He previously lived in the town of Benalmadena on Spain’s Costa del Sol and believes living in warmer climes will be beneficial for his health.

A source said that he felt deeply let down by the court case and was still shocked about the ruling so couldn’t wait to leave the country. He explained that only bad memories were left for him in the UK because the judge had to all effects labelled him a paedophile.

Starr sued 57-year-old Karin Ward for libel after she claimed he abused her in 1974 when she was 15 in Jimmy Saville’s dressing room. However, the High Court dismissed his claim on Friday as Justice Nicol ruled the mother-of-seven had told the truth. The comedian was also ordered to pay her legal costs of £1m.

In a bad year for Starr, his wife Sophie, 33, walked out on him five months ago after claims that he headbutted her 15-year-old son.