Actor Noel Clarke has been suspended by BAFTA after he was accused of groping, harassment and bullying.
The Guardian has revealed 20 women have come forward with allegations of inappropriate and problematic behaviour from the English actor, screenwriter, director and comic book writer.
He's been accused of being a 'serial abuser of women', of 'using his power in the industry to prey on and harass female colleagues', and has also reported to have bullied people.
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There are also allegations of Clarke being involved in 'unwanted touching or groping', engaging in 'sexually inappropriate behaviour' or making inappropriate 'comments on set', 'professional misconduct', 'taking and sharing sexually explicit pictures and videos without consent' between 2004 and 2019.
Clarke denies all the allegations.
He told The Guardian when approached to address the allegations, 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."
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In the wake of the bombshell claims, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts has suspended his membership.
A spokesperson said: "In light of the allegations of serious misconduct regarding Noel Clarke in The Guardian this evening, BAFTA has taken the decision to suspend his membership and the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award immediately and until further notice."
All3Media, the backers of Clarke's production company Unstoppable Film and Television, has launched its own investigation.
A spokesperson for All3Media has told Variety: "We have a zero tolerance approach to abuse, bullying and harassment.We take allegations of this kind extremely seriously and are looking into this as a matter of urgency."
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