Morgan in the #MeToo firing line

He’s played God and Nelson Mandela and always seemed the epitome of the kindly uncle – complete with a voice that could melt chocolate straight from the fridge. But that image was shattered when CNN released a report in which eight women accused MORGAN FREEMAN (81) of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour. CHLOE MELAS (31), a CNN reporter who co-authored the article, claims that when she met him while pregnant at a 2017 press junket the Oscar winner repeatedly looked her up and down and said, “I wish I was there” and, “You’re ripe.”

An anonymous production assistant on his 2017 film Going in Style accused Morgan of “unwanted touching and comments about her figure and clothing on a near-daily basis” and of trying to lift her skirt.

While the actor – who was God in Bruce Almighty (2003) and Madiba in Invictus (2009) – initially apologised to “anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected”, a second statement insisted he “didn’t assault women”.

Morgan’s legal team has demanded a retraction from CNN and is threatening to sue.

RIGHT: Morgan in the 2013 film Now You See Me. A senior staffer on the movie claims the actor harassed her and her female co-workers with comments about their bodies. “We knew if he was coming by not to wear any clothes that were fitted,” she says.