Episode 410 - The Rise and Fall of Rolf Harris

About this episode

This episode explores the rise and fall of Rolf Harris, examining his entertainment career and the darker allegations that emerged later in his life.

Welcome to the start of Year 9!!!!! In this episode, we explore the rise and fall of Rolf Harris — from his beginnings in Perth during the Great Depression to becoming one of the most recognisable entertainers in Britain and across the Commonwealth. Join Holly and Matthew as they follow Harris through the early days of television, novelty music, children’s entertainment, painting, the wobble board, and the strange cultural landscape of post-war Britain, examining how an Australian performer became a trusted household figure for generations of audiences.But alongside that public image ran a much darker story. This episode also examines the allegations, convictions, and testimonies that emerged later in Harris’s life, including the broader context of Britain’s entertainment industry, Operation Yewtree, and the culture that allowed powerful figures to avoid scrutiny for decades. This episode contains discussion of child sexual abuse, grooming, and exploitation. Music Clips Used: The Purple People Eater — performed by Sheb Wooley Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini — performed by Brian Hyland Octopus's Garden — performed by The Beatles Yellow Submarine — performed by The…

People in this episode

Hosts: Holly, Matthew

Topics covered

• Rolf Harris
• entertainment industry
• child sexual abuse
• cultural history
• post-war Britain
• allegations and convictions

Keywords

• Rolf Harris
• entertainment
• allegations
• child abuse
• British culture
• Operation Yewtree
• history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Operation Yewtree

Books & works: The Purple People Eater, Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini, Octopus's Garden, Yellow Submarine, Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport

More episodes of Weird Crap in Australia

• Episode 413 - The 1971 Prosh Day Stunt · June 8, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Episode 412 - The Rise and Fall of Rolf Harris Part 3 · June 1, 2026 · 1h 9m
• Episode 411 - The Rise and Fall of Rolf Harris Part 2 · May 25, 2026 · 49 min
• Episode 409 - The Meckering Earthquake · May 11, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 408 - The Gympie Pyramid · May 4, 2026 · 59 min
• Episode 407 - Cathy Freeman Part 2 · April 27, 2026 · 55 min