Noel Clarke makes his first public appearance at charity gala… two years after his career imploded when more than 20 women accused him of sex offences
Noel Clarke made his first public appearance at the Paul Stank Charity Gala on Saturday, after his career imploded when more than 20 women accused him of sex offences in 2021.
The actor, 47, joined a host of stars at the fundraiser at The Royal Garden Hotel in London on Saturday.
Noel was smartly dressed in a black suit at the event which marks the charity’s 10th anniversary Gala, with the likes of Lizzie Cundy attending and Nadine Coyle performing.
Last year, the Guardian published the allegations of misconduct from the women who all knew Clarke in a professional capacity.
In a statement at the time Clarke said he ‘vehemently’ denied ‘any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing’ and no criminal charges have been brought against him.
Scrubbed up: Noel Clarke, 47, cut a dapper figure as he stepped out to the Paul Stank Charity Fundraiser Gala At The Royal Garden Hotel in London on Saturday
He added that he was ‘deeply sorry’ if some of his actions had affected people ‘in ways I did not intend or realise’, and vowed to get professional help ‘to educate myself and change for the better’.
Noel previously revealed he is ‘suing The Guardian newspaper for £10million’ over a series of ‘false’ articles alleging sexual misconduct towards several women.
Noel said the eight articles have had a ‘catastrophic’ impact on his career, causing him to suffer a ‘devastating’ financial loss of £10,140,000.60.
The Doctor Who star also claimed ‘every existing or upcoming contract’ he had had been cancelled and he has ‘not had one single work contract’ since the first Guardian article on him in April 2021.
He was never arrested over the claims, which pushed him to the brink of suicide, with the Met Police saying there was not enough evidence against him to warrant a criminal investigation.
But the allegations, reportedly made by 20 women who previously worked with him, saw him being axed from Sky TV show Bulletproof as well as ITV’s Viewpoint and Channel 5’s Highwater.
Documents have been lodged at London’s High Court as part of a defamation case against the Guardian, according to the BBC. A judge will now decide what damages he is entitled to – if he wins his case.
He is also claiming for general damages which include harm to reputation and special damages which cover specific financial loss.
Looking good: The actor wore a black suit and matching tie, which he teamed with a white shirt this weekend
Noel Clarke is to sue the Guardian newspaper for £10million in damages over articles about his alleged behaviour towards several women
The claim says ‘the impact on him financially has been devastating’ adding ‘every existing or upcoming contract’ has been cancelled. It also says that he has not worked a single contract since the article was first published in April 2021.
There are a number of specific financial losses claimed by the actor, including for season four of Sky TV show Bulletproof, series two of ITV show Viewpoint and Channel 5 TV show Highwater. In total he is claiming for £10,140,000.60 in financial loss.
His lawyers are also claiming aggravated damages on his behalf for what his lawyers described as the ‘relentless, targeted, vicious and persistent nature of the wholly unjustified defamatory campaign’ by the newspaper.
The case was scheduled to be heard at the High Court but the court was told the actor wanted new solicitors so it has been delayed.
As a result of this delay, the case will not be heard until October or early November later this year.
The court will decide whether the articles are defamatory or whether they were statements of fact and opinion.
A GNM spokesperson said: ‘The Guardian’s investigation was deeply reported and researched, relying on the testimony of 20 women, all of whom knew Noel Clarke in a professional capacity.
‘We stand by our reporting and will be robustly defending our journalism.’
Among the claims, includes loss of £595,000 fee for acting in 10 episodes of Sky TV show Bulletproof (pictured)
The BBC reported The Guardian has not yet filed an official defence through the court and is not required to submit its defence before the autumn hearing is known, according to an order made in May by Mr Justice Murray.
The legal papers which were recently obtained by the broadcaster, however, should have been made public more than six months ago.
Following the allegations in 2021, Mr Clarke had his Bafta membership suspended and the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award he had been given days before was revoked.
The actor later sought to sue Bafta for suspending but dropped his legal action in September.
Speaking at the time, a Bafta spokesperson said: ‘We note that Noel Clarke has dropped his legal action against Bafta.
The serious misconduct alleged in first-hand testimonies and published in The Guardian newspaper is contrary to the standards expected of a Bafta member and the values we uphold as an arts charity and academy.
‘We stand by our decision to suspend his honorary award and membership as soon as the detailed allegations came to light.’
In a statement at the time Mr Clarke said he ‘vehemently’ denied ‘any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing’.
He added he was ‘deeply sorry’ if some of his actions had affected people ‘in ways I did not intend or realise’, and vowed to get professional help ‘to educate myself and change for the better’.
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