Noel Clarke sorry but denies sexual misconduct
02 May, 2021
Actor Noel Clarke has said he's "deeply sorry" for a few of his actions and can seek specialized help, but has again "vehemently" denied sexual misconduct.
His statement employs 20 women accused him of harassment and bullying. ITV and Sky have finally dropped his shows.
He said: "I vehemently deny any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing.
"Recent reports however have managed to get clear if you ask me that some of my actions have damaged people with techniques I did not intend or realise."
He added: "To those individuals, I am deeply sorry. I will be seeking specialized help to teach myself and change for the better."
The statement follows ITV's decision never to broadcast the final bout of the police drama Viewpoint, where he stars, on Friday.
His Viewpoint co-stars Bronagh Waugh and Alexandra Roach tweeted their support to the women who made the allegations.
Sky in addition has "halted" its use Clarke, including on the fourth series of crime drama Bulletproof.
And he has been suspended by Bafta, almost three weeks after the British film and television set academy gave him an award for his outstanding contribution.
Clarke is well known for playing Mickey Smith in Doctor Who from 2005-10, and for his film trilogy Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood. He's also a writer, director and producer.
He played a surveillance detective in Viewpoint, which includes been on ITV every evening this week. It had been watched by 3.5 million people on Thursday.
But on Friday, the broadcaster said it had been "no more appropriate to broadcast the ultimate episode" as planned in light of the allegations.
However, the finale will be available on streaming service ITV Hub from Friday night until Sunday "for just about any viewers who wish to seek it out, watching its conclusion".
Meanwhile, Clarke has starred in three group of Sky crime drama Bulletproof, which had a fourth series commissioned in January.
The broadcaster said on Friday: "Effective immediately, we have halted Noel Clarke's involvement in any future Sky productions."
Bafta has been criticised by some for honouring Clarke on 10 April. It had received reports of allegations against Clarke in the 12 days between announcing him as the award recipient and the ceremony itself.
In line with the Guardian, Bafta's chairman Krishnendu Majumdar said he previously heard that as many as 12 women could possibly be making allegations.
In a letter to members where it defended its response, Bafta said the emails it received "were either anonymous or second or third-hand accounts via intermediaries".
"No first-hand allegations were delivered to us," it said. "No names, times, dates, productions or other details were ever provided.
"Had the victims gone on record as they have with the Guardian, the award would have been suspended immediately. Noel Clarke's counsel received a legal notice to this effect. It was always clear what our intentions will be."
Bafta added that it had been "an arts charity that's not able to properly investigate such matters".
The Charity Commission said Bafta had "submitted a significant incident report", that your regulator is currently assessing.
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