Becoming an " Un-Person " !

Robert Hughes (65) achieved fame as the star of the show " Hey Dad ! " during the 1980-1990 decade.  This week he was found guilty in the Sydney District court of sexual abuse of young girls and sentenced to ten years and nine months in prison.  He will serve at least six years before becoming eligible for parole

In London, Australian celebrity Rolph Harris is facing court where it is alleged he sexually assaulted young fans both here and in Britain over a long period of time.   In both cases, it is claimed that these sexual assaults were brazenly committed because both men thought that their fame made them " untouchable ".

It is a fact of life that when someone who has found fame falls from grace for a crime that most people find repugnant, they become a virtual " Un-Person ".    Fame reverts to infamy - and everything that they have done in their past gets a " poison touch ".

The ramifications touch many others.   The show " Hey Dad ! " was very popular and it was expected that it would replay many times as a fill-in on televisions back channels, but now that is most unlikely.  As a result, the actors will miss out of both fan credits to keep their past fame alive, and - more importantly - the residual dividends actors receive each time their former work goes to air.   Because the star of the show has committed an unpardonable crime, the entire spectrum - producing studio, the shows financiers and the supporting cast see their work crumble to dust.

Across the world, those who paid for art work by Rolph Harris must be wondering what change in value will occur if he is found guilty.   He painted a celebrated portrait of Queen Elizabeth - and it is likely this will be quietly " withdrawn ".    A value question mark will hang over paintings in galleries - and those bought as investments by many in the art world.    The big question is whether they have become worthless - or whether the passage of time will see talent regain acceptance alongside those of the old masters ?

Perhaps the biggest outcome of these two court cases will be suspicion directed at any actor who has worked with children.   There is bound to be innuendo and rumour that sexual exploitation is more widespread.   We have seen several recent cases where innocent people have been accused of sex crimes - by those seeking fame and fortune by grabbing the media spotlight.

One young woman claimed to have been dragged off a city train and raped in a station toilet.  Another claimed to have been attacked at a busy street crossing - and ignored by passers by.    Both were quickly unmasked as shams - but damage was certainly done to the reputation of the accused.

At the very least, studios planning new shows that contain a mix of adults and children will need to think long and hard about the risks these court cases present.   Hopefully, it will result in vastly improved supervision and the publicity will make child actors more prone to speak up should an event make them feel uncomfortable.

It seems to be a case of shining a light into a very dark corner !