Langham charged with eight indecent assaults

The award-winning comedy actor Chris Langham was charged today with eight counts of indecent assault and one other sexual offence.

The 57-year-old actor, from Cranbrook, Kent, was charged under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 when he answered bail at a police station in the county, Kent Police said today.

Langham, who won a Bafta for best comedy performance in May for his portrayal of government minister Hugh Abbot in the hit television political satire The Thick of It, was charged four months ago with 15 counts of making indecent images of children.

Following the latest charges, the Bafta-winning actor said he was determined to clear his name.He also announced, through the BBC, that he will withdraw from all BBC projects pending the outcome of the charge.

In a separate statement, he said: "I have today been charged with further offences by Kent Police. I have nothing further to add to what I have said previously, namely that I am determined to clear my name but cannot comment further on the allegations due to legal proceedings.

"I request once again that the privacy of my family is respected and thank the media for their restraint in this regard so far."

The actor added he would not be making any further comment.

It emerged earlier today that The Thick Of It star would not be appearing in the Christmas special of the hit BBC political satire.

But the BBC said it was always the intention not to feature Langham in the festive special because the show would be set among the Opposition.

A spokeswoman said: "It was always going to be the case that the Christmas special would be set in the Opposition and Chris wouldn't be in it.

"The suggestion that he has been axed isn't correct. While the case is pending we are not going to make any further comment as we feel it wouldn't be appropriate."