Sunday Mirror

Shamed Who star15 could lose Doc title

University chiefs ‘review’ honorary degree amid sex harassment claims

- BY DAN WARBURTON dan.warburton@mirror.co.uk

Stars’ support for women

SEVERAL leading actresses have backed the women who came forward to make claims about Clarke.

Michaela Coel, creator of

BBC show I May Destroy You, said: “Speaking out about these incidents takes a lot of strength because some call them ‘grey areas’.

They’re far from grey.”

Viewpoint star

Alexandra Roach said she “sees and believes” the women. And Jaime

Winstone, who was in Clarke’s film

Kidulthood, shared the Time’s

Up logo and hinted at the storm saying:

“When you’re late to the party but been on the list for 15 years.”

Jahannah James, who starred alongside Clarke in film Brotherhoo­d, is among the accusers. She claims the actor secretly filmed her naked.

ACTOR Noel Clarke is set to be stripped of an honorary degree.

The former Doctor Who star has been accused of sexually harassing numerous women on and off film and TV sets.

Clarke, who played Tardis companion Mickey Smith from 2005 to 2010, was given the degree by London Metropolit­an University five years ago.

Pictures from the ceremony show him beaming with pride in a cap and gown on stage.

But bosses last night said they were “reviewing the award”.

A spokesman added: “We take the accusation­s against Mr Clarke very seriously.” Bafta has already revoked the actor’s Outstandin­g British Contributi­on to Cinema award.

It comes a week after The Guardian reported more than 20 women claimed he subjected them to bullying and abuse.

ALLEGATION­S

Clarke, who also directed and starred in Kidulthood series, has vowed to “defend myself against these false allegation­s”.

He has been axed by his management and ITV also pulled his prime-time drama Viewpoint before the final episode.

The university’s interventi­on comes after Clarke faced fresh allegation­s of harassment on the set of Doctor Who. Costume assistant Joanne Hayes claims he told her he “liked girls with long hair, as it gave him something to hold on to” during sex.

And a female runner alleges the dad-of-three inappropri­ately touched her hand and grabbed her leg while she was driving. Clarke “vehemently” denies sexual misconduct and criminal behaviour but has said he will seek profession­al help and apologised “deeply” for any offence caused.

Despite the uproar, Doctor Who fans have flocked to social media to demand the BBC does not follow ITV’s lead and axe old episodes he appeared in.

 ?? Noel Clarke and Jaime Winstone ?? FORMER FRIENDS
CLAIMS Jahannah James with Clarke
LAUDED In Doctor Who. Inset, at uni ceremony ‘STRENGTH’ Michaela Coel
Noel Clarke and Jaime Winstone FORMER FRIENDS CLAIMS Jahannah James with Clarke LAUDED In Doctor Who. Inset, at uni ceremony ‘STRENGTH’ Michaela Coel

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