Noel Clarke is “deeply sorry” and is “seeking professional help” after being accused of sexual misconduct – but denies allegations against him.
Noel Clarke
The 45-year-old actor was recently accused of misconduct by 20 women who came forward as part of an article in The Guardian, which has resulted in him being suspended by BAFTA, having Sky TV cut ties with him, and having ITV pull the final episode of ‘Viewpoint’.
In the article, the women accused Clarke of a range of inappropriate activities, including sexual harassment, unwanted touching or groping, sexually inappropriate behaviour and comments on set, professional misconduct, taking and sharing sexually explicit pictures and videos without consent, and bullying between 2004 and 2019.
And now, Clarke has said he plans to “educate” himself and “change for the better” in light of some of the accusations, whilst denying “any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing”.
In a statement, he said: “[The allegations have] made it clear to me that some of my actions have affected people in ways I did not intend or realise. To those individuals, I am deeply sorry. I will be seeking professional help to educate myself and change for the better.”
However, he added: "I vehemently deny any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing."
The new statement comes after Clarke previously denied the allegations against him in a comment given to The Guardian.
He said: "In a 20-year career, I have put inclusivity and diversity at the forefront of my work and never had a complaint made against me. If anyone who has worked with me has ever felt uncomfortable or disrespected, I sincerely apologise. I vehemently deny any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing and intend to defend myself against these false allegations."
The Guardian also reported Clarke categorically denied every allegation made against him with the exception of one, where he admitted he once made inappropriate comments about one woman, for which he later apologised.
According to the publication, his lawyers wrote a 29-page letter in which they said Clarke denies all of the other allegations from all 20 women.
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