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TRAGIC Freddie Starr spent his final days singing in Spanish karaoke bars after being left suicidal following his arrests on sex abuse allegations.

Pal Jim Davidson said the comic, who was found dead aged 76 at his Costa del Sol home on Thursday, was left “broken” by the police probe.

 Freddie Starr was found dead aged 76 at his Costa del Sol home on Thursday
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Freddie Starr was found dead aged 76 at his Costa del Sol home on ThursdayCredit: Rex Features

Cops even detained the Liverpool-born funnyman after he threatened to take his own life.

Jim, 65, said: “He told them he was going to kill himself and that he was going to eat concrete.

“I asked him what they did when he said that and he said, ‘They kept me in a cell for 14 hours while I had a psychiatric assessment’.”

Freddie was said to be mortified after seeing a recording of his terrible Elvis Presley impression, pictured, while singing in a bar two years before his death.

Speaking about the fall from grace, Jim added: “I’ve been out there a few times and people have told me, ‘We see your mate Freddie Starr singing cabaret in the karaoke bars’.

“It was a sad way to end a career for someone who I thought was Britain’s greatest entertainer.”

Freddie was arrested four times between 2012 and 2014 under Operation Yewtree — the investigation into allegations of historic sex abuse against celebrities including Jimmy Savile.

He was eventually released without charge and later sued a woman who claimed he had groped her in Savile’s dressing room when she was 15 in 1974.

 Freddie Starr's terrible Elvis Presley impression while singing cabaret in a karaoke bar two years before his death
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Freddie Starr's terrible Elvis Presley impression while singing cabaret in a karaoke bar two years before his death
 The comic's final picture before being found dead at his Spanish home by a carer
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The comic's final picture before being found dead at his Spanish home by a carerCredit: FACEBOOK
 Freddie posted a haunting last message on Facebook, saying he was 'tired'
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Freddie posted a haunting last message on Facebook, saying he was 'tired'
 Pal Jim Davidson tells how the tragic comic was left broken by Operation Yewtree
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Pal Jim Davidson tells how the tragic comic was left broken by Operation YewtreeCredit: Dan Charity - The Sun

But Freddie lost the libel case and was left facing legal bills of almost £1million. He was forced to sell his £700,000 UK home and moved to Spain in 2015.

Jim, also arrested under the police operation and released without charge, added: “It was a surprise to us all with Yewtree. Freddie never was a ladies’ man.

“I think he was lonely in Spain. He was bothered by the stigma attached to it all.

“On the surface, his way of dealing with that was humour and being awkward and being out of the box.

Freddie Starr's friend Bobby Davro reveals he was one of the last people to speak to the comedy legend before he died
 Liverpool-born funnyman Freddie Starr at home in his garden at the height of his fame
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Liverpool-born funnyman Freddie Starr at home in his garden at the height of his fameCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Freddie starred on I'm A Celebrity in 2011 but became a recluse after his comeback failed
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Freddie starred on I'm A Celebrity in 2011 but became a recluse after his comeback failedCredit: Handout

“But deep down inside it was killing him — it was eating him up.

“I survived Yewtree, but he didn’t. I think it really broke him. He was overwhelmed by it all.”

Freddie Starr’s court loss followed him to Spain and may have led to him being made homeless.

Lawyers for alleged victim Karin Ward secured an order on the property he bought for £170,000.

 Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden paid tribute to Freddie Starr online
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Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden paid tribute to Freddie Starr onlineCredit: Twitter
 The tragic entertainer started out as a singer
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The tragic entertainer started out as a singerCredit: Rex Features
 Freddie Starr was one of the biggest stars of the '70s, '80s and '90s
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Freddie Starr was one of the biggest stars of the '70s, '80s and '90sCredit: Rex Features

Neighbours also said he owed thousands in unpaid bills and a source added: “Starr was definitely at risk of losing his home and being turfed out on the streets.

“No date had been set for an auction but the ball was definitely rolling. It’s shocking to think a man who was such a household name in his early career could have ended up on the streets.”

Yesterday, showbiz pals paid tribute to Freddie following his death from a heart attack.

Bobby Davro called him the “funniest man I’ve ever seen” and added: “I’m so sad we have lost one of our greatest comedy talents.”

 Funnyman Freddie posted a wacky picture on Facebook with cigarettes in his mouth, nose and ears in February
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Funnyman Freddie posted a wacky picture on Facebook with cigarettes in his mouth, nose and ears in February
 Our iconic 'Freddie Starr ate my hamster' front page dated March 13, 1986
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Our iconic 'Freddie Starr ate my hamster' front page dated March 13, 1986Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden added: “His style may have fallen out of comedy fashion and favour, but it’s important to recognise his once huge popularity and fame. I hope his legacy is not smalled down and he’s remembered with a smile.”

Singer and chatshow host Des O’Connor said: “At his best, Freddie was borderline genius.

Freddie Starr dead - Montage of legendary comedian's iconic TV moments
 Freddie Starr was known for dressing up as characters, including Poirot
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Freddie Starr was known for dressing up as characters, including PoirotCredit: Rex Features
 Freddie Starr grins as the Hulk in one of his madcap costumes
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Freddie Starr grins as the Hulk in one of his madcap costumesCredit: Rex Features

'Family didn't talk to him for years'

THE friend and carer who lived with the late Freddie Starr has begged his estranged family to get in touch following his death — saying they have not spoken in years.

Freddie had six children from his four wives — splitting from the last, Sophie Lea, 38, in 2015.

Pal Nelly Georgieva, 47, said: “I hope to hear from his family, his daughter or son. I don’t know what to do. I want the embassy to call me, to tell me what’s happening, what they’re doing with him.”

Bulgarian Nelly found Freddie’s body in his home in Mijas on Thursday as she returned from a shopping trip. Spanish authorities later confirmed he died of a heart attack.

She said the comic spent his final hours besotted with a three-week-old tabby cat dubbed Little Freddie.

She said: “He spent all day giving Little Freddie kisses and cuddles — he has the same eyes as Freddie and his face is cheeky like his.”

Nelly moved into the apartment complex with Freddie after initially being his cleaner and later caring for the ageing funnyman.

She said Freddie quit smoking, but needed oxygen apparatus to help him breathe.

She added: “I lived with him for four years. I was a good friend. I loved him — not romantically or sexually, but his personality as a friend and companion.

“And Freddie loved me. He would say, ‘Nell, you’re my f***ing angel’. He was always smiling and telling jokes. He was a great person to me.”

Nelly said Freddie had been taken to hospital by ambulance twice in the last two years, but appeared fine on the day of his death.

She added: “I went to the shop for 30 minutes and came back and he was dead. He was fine before. He was watching TV and playing with his cat and nothing was bothering him.

“But he had heart problems. He was in a coma after an operation. When I met him he was ill. He had asthma and problems with lungs. He had many problems but I never knew he was bad.”

Nelly also admitted that for a long time she was unaware of the huge fame her friend once had.

She added: “Freddie was normal. He never acted like a star. One time we went for coffee and people kept asking for photos. I assumed they were friends.

“Then one day he showed me his impressions of Mick Jagger and Roy Orbison and I realised these were not friends — they were fans.”

 Freddie Starr met the Queen in 1989
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Freddie Starr met the Queen in 1989Credit: PA:Press Association
 The TV legend has been hailed as a borderline genius
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The TV legend has been hailed as a borderline geniusCredit: PA:Press Association

 

 How we told the news of the fallen star's death on Thursday
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How we told the news of the fallen star's death on Thursday

“Always unpredictable, he could create mayhem in a TV studio with his wacky, unique humour.”

But dad-of-six Freddie, who married five times to four women, received mixed tributes from his exes. First wife Betty Simpson said: “It’s very sad news, but I didn’t really like Freddie. He was brilliant on stage, but a terrible husband.”

Sophie Lea, 38, to whom Freddie was still legally married despite their split in 2015, said: “I was still devastated. I want to just remember him as a fantastic comedian like the millions of fans he brought so much pleasure to.”

Jim invites fans to make a donation in Freddie’s memory to his charity .

WHERE TO GET HELP

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

  • CALM, , 0800 585 858
  • Heads Together,
  • Mind, , 0300 123 3393
  • Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
  • Samaritans, , 116 123

 

 

Freddie Starr does Elvis Presley as he sings 'Hound Dog' on holiday in Spain
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