Most popular stories for Tuesday, July 1

Rolf Harris leaves Southwark Crown Court in central London. Photo / AFP

Here are the most popular news stories today, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about tomorrow.

1. Rolf Harris attacked TV host 'during interview'

Rolf Harris was accused of brazenly attacking a prominent television celebrity during a television interview, it can be revealed today after new allegations emerged against the disgraced entertainer following his convictions for a string of sex attacks against four girls going back more than 40 years.

Harris faces a raft of new claims of sex assaults including against high-profile figures in both Britain and Australia that emerged during his trial that saw him convicted of indecent assaults on girls, one of them as young as seven or eight.

Rolf Harris leaves court supported by his wife Alwen and daughter Bindi. Photo / AP

2. Towie in dock over 113km/h 'joyride'

A tow-truck driver accused of taking an impounded car on a joyride at speeds of up to 113km/h was caught out by a GPS device, a court has heard.

Michael Donald Woods, owner of an Auckland tow-truck company, says he took the car for a drive - after towing it at the request of police - only to check its suspension.

But the DVD of a police interview, played in the Auckland District Court yesterday, showed he changed his story after being told he had been caught out by the GPS device.

Michael Donald Woods

3. Pippa Middleton: I felt 'publically bullied'

The Duchess of Cambridge's sister, Pippa Middleton, has described how she has felt "publicly bullied a little bit" since being propelled into the spotlight following the royal wedding.

Pippa, who gave her first ever television interview to American journalist Matt Lauer for NBC's Today show, spoke of how it was difficult to read things about herself which were untrue.

Middleton, who is a columnist for Waitrose's monthly magazine, gained notoriety for her figure-hugging bridesmaid's dress when Kate married the Duke of Cambridge in 2011.

Pippa Middleton with American journalist Matt Lauer. Photo / AP

4. Graham Norton caught out

It's the first rule of calling in sick ... don't be seen out with your friends the night before.

But it seems nobody had told Graham Norton. The British chat show host failed to turn up for his 10am Radio 2 slot just hours after being spotted out on the town with TV chef Nigella Lawson, 54.

Norton posed for cameras at media mogul Evgeny Lebedev's glitzy summer party on Friday night (British time) before whiling away the evening with friends including actress Elizabeth Hurley, 49, and comedian Ruby Wax, 61.

But the next morning, the star - who is paid £2.3 million (NZ$4.5 million) by the BBC - left his colleagues to muddle through his three-hour show without him.

Presenter Maria McErlane, 56, stepped in to tell listeners Norton had "been up all night being sick".

By the afternoon, however, he was back on his feet and walking his dog near his 1.5 million home in Wapping, East London. Approached by a reporter who asked about his health, he replied: "I'm okay, thanks."

Graham Norton. Photo / Supplied

5. Black Caps capture series

Now it's three. New Zealand's thrilling 53-run win over the West Indies in Barbados today made it three successive test series victories over top eight nations.

Beating the Windies and India at home was a fine achievement; following that with the first victory over a major nation away from home for 12 years adds to the belief this New Zealand side are becoming a significant player in the world game.

It is the third time New Zealand have won three series on the bounce.

Watch - Cricket highlights: Black caps win series

- nzherald.co.nz, APNZ, UK Independent, PAA, Daily Mail