DON’T MENTION ANIMAL HOSPITAL!
Nonce Rolf vet show was Russian tyrant’s favourite
OSCAR- winning director Oliver Stone has scored a massive hit after securing an interview with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
In the four- hour chat, which is winning huge audiences on U. S. telly, Putin discusses a host of topics, from his views on women and the gays to the fact he’s recently become a grandfather.
But one subject was NOT tackled by 70- year- old Stone – Putin’s love of the BBC show Animal Hospital.
Putin devoured episodes of the show during rare moments of free time but his enjoyment was WRECKED when the programme’s host, Rolf Harris, was unmasked as a serial nonce.
Now members of Putin’s staff risk the sack or even exile to Siberia if they mention Animal Hospital in his presence.
A Kremlin insider said: “The president famously shuns the TV set, believing it to be the tool of international financiers and anti- Russian elements.
Burnt
“But he had a real soft spot for Animal Hospital, which he first encountered on a visit to London in 2000. He arranged for tapes to be sent to Moscow. He loved relaxing watching Rolf and those little animals.
“But when Rolf Harris was arrested, the president had all his Animal Hospital video tapes taken into the Kremlin’s back yard and burnt.
“He was very embarrassed that his favourite TV presenter was a kiddy- toucher. Vladimir Putin hates the nonces.
“Just one mention of Animal Hospital within 20 metres and you’re history.”
Former entertainer Harris was last month cleared of four sex assault charges after a jury at Southwark Crown Court could not reach verdicts.
Prosecutors ruled out a further retrial for Harris, who denied indecently assaulting three teenage girls at public events between 1971 and 1983.
He was released from Stafford Prison part- way through the trial, for an unconnected conviction in June 2014 of 12 counts of indecent assault.