Jim Davidson under fire for saying Gary Glitter is ‘remorseful’ and ready to start new life

Jim Davidson says he visited Gary Glitter. (PA)

Jim Davidson has come under fire after he was quoted as saying that convicted paedophile Gary Glitter is “remorseful” and ready to start “a new life”.

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was jailed for 16 years for attempted rape, unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, and four counts of indecent assault in 2015.

He is currently an inmate at HMP The Verne in Portland, Dorset but there have been reports that he could soon be moved to an open prison.

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Comedian Davidson told the Dorset Echo that he spoke to the 77-year-old singer when he visited the jail in 2019.

“I spoke to Paul when I visited The Verne two years ago,” he said. “He’s remorseful and he looked ready to start a new life.”

Gary Glitter was jailed in 2015. (PA)

He apparently commented on Glitter as he was discussing Care After Combat, the charity he co-founded, which has helped offenders.

The comments ruffled some feathers on social media.

One person tweeted that they “cannot imagine” what the comic was thinking.

Gary Glitter is serving a 16-year sentence. (Metropolitan Police handout photo/PA)

“Davidson should stay out of this one. There are certain offenders who don’t deserve a second chance because we risk our kids… never worth it,” said another.

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One posted: “’He’s remorseful and he looked ready to start a new life’, says Jim Davidson about Gary Glitter, shame his young victims are stuck with their life sentence, no ‘new life’ opportunities for them.”

Yahoo has contacted representatives for Davidson for comment.

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