TV presenter 'paid' for former death row inmate Richey to visit dying father

FORMER Blue Peter presenter Diane Louise Jordan paid for freed death row Briton Kenny Richey to return to the United States to visit his sick father, it was reported today.

Jordan, who now fronts Songs of Praise, has provided support to Richey following his release from an Ohio jail last year.

The ex-Marine spent 21 years on death row after being convicted of starting a fire in which a two-year-old girl died, and once came within an hour of execution.

Jordan, who works as a confidence coach, became friends with Richey, 44, when he returned to Scotland following a plea deal with US prosecutors.

He said the TV star paid for him to fly to Washington State to visit his father Jim, whom he said has terminal prostate cancer.

Unemployed Richey told the Sun: "I called Diane for support and she said that I should go over to be with him.

"I explained I had no money and she immediately offered to pay for the flights.

"It left me speechless and I had tears in my eyes. She is a wonderful person."

A spokeswoman for Jordan said: "This is a private matter."

Richey was born to a Scottish mother and American father and served with the Marine Corps before being discharged on medical grounds.

He was put on death row in January 1987 after being convicted of an arson attack which killed toddler Cynthia Collins.

Richey was released in January last year and set up home in Edinburgh but spent around seven months in custody awaiting trial for an alleged assault and robbery in July.

The charges were dropped when the case was heard at the High Court in Paisley.

Richey admitted a breach of the peace by threatening court officials at an earlier hearing but was freed by the judge who said he had suffered enough.