Hughes, a former jeweller and sculptor, stood by Harris throughout his 2014 trial and subsequent imprisonment after he was convicted of 12 indecent assaults on four underage girls, crimes committed between 1968 and 1986. Despite the serious charges, Hughes supported her husband and was seen attending his trial every day alongside their daughter, Bindi.

The couple had been married for 65 years before Harris’ death. Hughes, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in her final years, had been in ill health for some time and had previously been pictured in a wheelchair.

Born in North London on December 26, 1931, Hughes grew up in Wales and was known for her eccentric sense of style, including choosing a poodle as her bridesmaid when she married Harris in 1958. The pair met at art school and married at St Saviour’s Church in Paddington.

Throughout Harris’ trial and subsequent media scrutiny, Hughes remained by his side, visiting him during his imprisonment at HMP Stafford. Following his release, Harris lived a reclusive life, spending his remaining years accompanied by Hughes and their carers.

Harris, once a beloved entertainer, was convicted in 2014 of sexually assaulting young girls as young as seven. He was sentenced to just under six years in prison. Despite his 2017 trial ending with a hung jury on further charges, Harris expressed relief at the conclusion of the legal proceedings, saying he wanted to spend his remaining time with his ailing wife.

Hughes’ death marks the end of a long, troubled chapter in the lives of both her and her late husband, who faced significant public and legal condemnation in the final years of their life