Engelbert Humperdinck, 90, says he endured ‘casting couch’ harassment early in his career

Singer Engelbert Humperdinck, now 90, told a May 10, 2026 interview that he was repeatedly subjected to casting couch advances from male talent agents when he first tried to break into the London music scene in the late 1950s.

The revelation adds a new personal account to ongoing conversations about sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, showing that such pressures have affected performers of all genders and generations.

Humperdinck recalled traveling from his hometown of Leicester to London with only enough money for a single night in a hotel, provided by his older sister. He said finding representation was “a very difficult task” because many agents pursued him personally rather than professionally.

He described the climate among agencies at the time, noting, “In those days, you know, a lot of the agencies were … the men that fancied men. I had to go through a lot because I got chased a lot by agents.”

“I was true to myself then,” Humperdinck said. “And I avoided all that, but I went through hell with that sort of thing.”

Humperdinck identified one exception: married agent Sydney Myers, who invited him to stay in a Maida Vale apartment for six months, covered some living expenses, and introduced him to industry contacts. Myers later helped the young singer land a 42‑week stint on the British variety series “Song Parade,” where he performed under his birth name, Gerry Dorsey, before adopting the stage name Engelbert Humperdinck.

The exposure on “Song Parade” helped launch Humperdinck’s career, leading to his breakthrough hit “Release Me” in 1967 and a lasting legacy in popular music. He also credited his longtime partner Patricia, whom he married in 1964, for supporting him during those early struggles.

Humperdinck’s account arrives at a time when the industry is re‑examining historic patterns of abuse, and his willingness to speak publicly may encourage further disclosure and reform.