Police widen inquiry into TV weatherman Fred Talbot

The home of the TV weatherman was raided by police as part of an investigation into historic sexual abuse (PA)

Detectives investigating reports of historic sexual abuse by a former teacher have widened their investigation to take in at least two other schools.

TV weatherman Fred Talbot was bailed on Wednesday after being arrested by police probing allegations of abuse at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys in Trafford, Greater Manchester.

The 63-year-old was held on suspicion of three counts of indecent assault and four counts of inciting a child to commit acts of gross indecency against former pupils.

The alleged offences relate to his time as a teacher at the school between the early 1970s and early 1980s, where the four alleged victims were pupils.

Detective Chief Inspector Koran Sellars, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Following the publicity surrounding this man's arrest, information has been received from the public that he taught at various schools in the Tyne and Wear area and which included Saltwell and Slatyford High School.

"Anyone who attended these or any other schools between 1968 and the early 1970s and who has any information which they believe may assist police are asked to call Greater Manchester Police.

"All information received will be treated in the strictest of confidence."

Talbot's home in Bowdon, Cheshire, was raided as detectives on the inquiry executed a series of warrants at addresses in December last year.

The former biology teacher at Altrincham Grammar was out of the country at the time.

He is best known for his colourful appearances on the weather map for ITV's This Morning programme when hosted by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan at Liverpool's Albert Dock.

Talbot remains the weatherman on the station's North West regional news programme Granada Reports.

A popular figure with viewers, he often visits "interesting holiday destinations" with his camera and the images are then broadcast on Granada, according to his agent's website.

He is said to have made films about his previous travels to Antarctica, Borneo and Timbuktu.

His most famous moment came when a streaker swam naked up to the floating weather map during a This Morning show in 1995.

Talbot was arrested on Tuesday and has been bailed until August 16 pending further inquiries, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

PA