Rory McGrath faces trial over woman’s claim he stalked her
COMEDIAN Rory McGrath appeared in court yesterday charged with stalking a married woman for 14 months.
The 60-year-old veteran comic is accused of harassing the woman despite complaints from her and her husband.
McGrath, star of BBC’s They Think It’s All Over and Three Men In A Boat, allegedly approached her in the street and engaged her in conversation.
He is also said to have sent electronic messages to the couple and written letters to the husband.
He denied stalking during the brief hearing at Cambridgeshire Magistrates’ Court. Wearing a black coat, green T-shirt and black trousers, he spoke only to confirm his name and address and to enter his plea.
The charge alleges McGrath, of Cambridge, harassed the woman between June last year and this August.
He was released on conditional bail which bans him from contacting the woman or visiting an address in Cambridge. He is due to stand trial in January. The alleged victim cannot be named for legal reasons.
McGrath was educated at Redruth Grammar School, Cornwall, and became a member of the Footlights drama society while studying at Cambridge University.
He wrote scripts for comedian Frankie Howerd before moving to the comedy shows Not The Nine O’Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones, both on the BBC.