Another sordid episode in life of the glam-rock star
His first major downfall was in 1999, when he was convicted in Britain of possessing child pornography and given a four-month jail sentence.
But in spite of Glitter’s success - he sold almost 20 million records - his fame and riches have been blighted by drink, drugs and bankruptcy.
Born Paul Gadd in Banbury, Oxfordshire, he was illegitimate and never met his father. He was brought up by his grandmother and his young mother.
At the age of 10, he and his brother were put into care. He ran away constantly to London, and at 12 was performing in clubs like La Condor, owned by the Krays.
He got in at the start of the glam craze in 1972, picking the name Gary Glitter from a choice of Terry Tinsel, Stanley Sparkle and Vicky Vomit.
Rock ‘N’ Roll (Parts 1 and 2) was his first success and more hits followed - I Didn’t Know I Loved You (Till I Saw You Rock And Roll), Do You Wanna Touch Me, and I’m The Leader Of The Gang (I Am) - the song that became his theme. By 1975, he had sold 18 million records.
But glam-rock died and Glitter later went bankrupt, owing £170,000 to the Inland Revenue - and £60 to the Fulham Road Tandoori.
He and his wife Anne divorced after nine years. They had two children - Paul and Sarah.
Glitter became a vegetarian and turned to Buddhism but in 1986 he took an accidental overdose of sleeping pills and needed hospital treatment.
A third drink-driving conviction brought a 10-year ban and he narrowly escaped jail.
By 1997 he was poised for “one final tour” and the launch of two movie roles. Instead, he made the headlines when he was arrested after indecent images were found stored on a computer he took to be repaired.
He served half of his four-month sentence and moved to Cuba but was banned by the Cuban authorities.
He later went to Cambodia but was expelled in 2002 after he was held in jail for three nights after allegedly trawling for underage sex, although he was never convicted.
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