Clarke’s ‘sexual harassment on Doctor Who set’
Five more women allege misconduct
FRESH sexual misconduct allegations have been made about the behaviour of Noel Clarke, this time on the set of Doctor Who.
Five women yesterday accused Clarke, who played Mickey Smith from 2005 to 2010, of sexual harassment.
The allegations relate to his time filming the hit BBC sci-fi show as well as at a promotional event for the programme.
Clarke’s co-star John Barrowman, who played Captain Jack Harkness, was also accused of repeatedly exposing himself on set. Yesterday Barrowman said his behaviour was ‘only ever intended in good humour’ and claimed it has changed since he first apologised for the incident in 2008.
Following the latest allegations the BBC condemned any inappropriate behaviour and said it was ‘shocked’ at the claims. Old episodes of Doctor Who, in which Clarke played the boyfriend of Billie Piper’s character, Rose, last night remained on iPlayer.
And Clarke’s Bafta acceptance speech from this year – for an accolade which has since been rescinded – is still available on the platform.
The latest accusations come after The Guardian published allegations of misconduct from 20 women who knew Clarke professionally.
Bafta suspended his membership
‘Only intended in good humour’
and his recent outstanding British contribution to cinema award, while TV channels cut ties with him.
Clarke, 45, has said he ‘vehemently’ denies allegations of sexual misconduct or criminal behaviour but will seek professional help and has apologised for his actions.
Clarke has now been accused by a number of women of sexual harassment on the set of Doctor Who and at a promotional event.
One woman who worked on the show told The Guardian that she complained about Clarke’s behaviour – in which he ‘touched her inappropriately’ – to an assistant director and was put on different duties.
Another woman, who also worked on the show, alleged to the newspaper that Clarke sexually harassed her and another female co-worker in a bar in Cardiff in the mid-2000s.
Lawyers acting on behalf of Clarke told the newspaper the actor vehemently denies both allegations.
The accusations against Barrowman come after a video from 2015 resurfaced showing Clarke making jokes about Barrowman exposing himself ‘every five seconds’.
Sources told the newspaper they did not believe Barrowman’s behaviour to be sexually predatory and described it as misjudged ‘larking about’ and ‘joking’. Barrowman told The Guardian his ‘high-spirited behaviour’ was ‘only ever intended in good humour.
‘With the benefit of hindsight, I understand that upset may have been caused by my exuberant behaviour and I have apologised for this previously,’ he said.
‘Since my apology in November 2008, my understanding and behaviour have also changed.’
Barrowman added that he was at no point made aware of any allegations against Clarke.
In a statement, the BBC said: ‘The BBC is against all forms of inappropriate behaviour and we’re shocked to hear of these allegations. To be absolutely clear, we will investigate any specific allegations made by individuals to the BBC – and if anyone has been subjected to or witnessed inappropriate behaviour of any kind we would encourage them to raise it with us directly.
‘We have a zero-tolerance approach and robust processes are in place – which are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect best practice – to ensure any complaints or concerns are handled with the utmost seriousness and care.’