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Noel Clarke sexual harassment allegations, suspended by BAFTA

878 replies

Cwenthryth · 29/04/2021 20:41

www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/apr/29/actor-noel-clarke-accused-of-groping-harassment-and-bullying-by-20-women

🤬🤬🤬

Especially galling that BAFTA was seemingly made aware of this before giving him his very recent honour. I watched his acceptance speech and found it really moving in terms of celebrating a working class black man’s success in a historically white industry. Turns out he’s an (alleged) sexual abuser. Fucking great.

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SunsetBeetch · 30/04/2021 15:36

Noel Clarke: ITV drops Viewpoint after allegations made against star

www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56940444.amp?utm_source=upday&utm_medium=referral

RUOKHon · 30/04/2021 15:36
  • The presumption of innocence is in Court. If I were in a jury, I'd follow that. Who babysits my kid, or I get naked with, that's balance of probabilities. And that takes a lot fewer than 20 women. 1 will do. Creepy feeling will do. Horrible men have made 'presumption of innocence' their cloak and shield. It facilitates their abuse*

Absolutely this. Well said.

Jaxhog · 30/04/2021 15:39

What concerns me is that he's been condemned and punished before being convicted.

CleverCatty · 30/04/2021 15:41

@RUOKHon

I used to follow him on Twitter about ten years ago before he blocked me because I called him out for some misogyny.

He was such a wanker even back then and I’m not at all surprised by this. He used to refer to his (then?) wife as ‘vagina at home’.

He deserves whatever’s coming to him.

wow that's disgusting if it's true re the reference to his wife.
Stormer · 30/04/2021 15:42

I think it's worth pointing out that not just were there 20 women that the Guardian spoke to, but that the Guardian also corroborated the individual women's evidence by speaking to, amongst others: their partners, friends, parent, NC's manager that one of the women complained to... This is as rigorous approach as the police should take if investigating.

These are not just women "speaking out now" (my quotes about a sentiment I've seen on twitter and even here about why they're coming forward & speaking out now); these are women who complained/were upset/distressed/unsettled about the behaviour AT THE TIME, with some of that time being years ago.

Why didn't they speak up more? Well probably power imbalance, needing a wage and a reference, because they weren't sure if it was "enough", because they worried about whether it was worth potentially harming (a man's) career over. Earlier this week or last I was dismayed at the attitude shown by a couple of posters on the higher education board who between them said that a certain girl was happy that men were leering at her chest and that she was vacuous for doing this, and that women should think twice about "carelessly" saying things that could destroy a man's career.

When is a remark or action "bad enough" to officially complain about? It's a thought a lot of girls and women have.

As a PP remarked, Ashley Waters has put out a statement saying he is "shocked" at the allegations. The PP was naturally sceptical of how shocked he really was. My guess is that part of it was genuine shock for him, because the leering or inappropriate comments that he probably definitely witnessed just seemed like "banter" and "laddishness" and "flirting" and not bad. If he thought like that, and genuinely wasn't aware of the touching women sexually or filming them naked without their consent or pressuring them to take their clothes off and do sexual scenes or sexual favours... well then I can see that he may well be shocked. But that's the rub, many of us know that the more "inoffensive" comments and behaviour is often very much the thin edge of the wedge, and that the pervy attitude they demonstrate comes along with a sense of entitlement and power and a disregard for consent. However to many others, this 'thin edge of the wedge' behaviour is maybe inappropriate but ultimately inoffensive or harmless. So it doesn't get acted on or modified, and people don't check themselves because they know they're not participating in the more "serious" stuff.

ChloeCrocodile · 30/04/2021 15:43

What concerns me is that he's been condemned and punished before being convicted.

I'm a teacher. If I were accused by multiple children of sexual abuse should I continue to work unless / until a criminal case could proceed? Or should I be prevented from continuing in the position of power I am accused of abusing until the courts are done?

Pota2 · 30/04/2021 15:43

@Jaxhog

What concerns me is that he's been condemned and punished before being convicted.
To be fair, when you have 20 separate complainants who have each made allegations showing a similar pattern of behaviour, I think it’s pretty reliable. The Guardian wouldn’t be able to publish it unless they were pretty sure these allegations were true or he’d sue their asses.

Also, the judicial system rarely gives real justice to victims. A lot of this is harassment rather than a more serious crime like rape so I don’t even know whether the victims intend on pressing charges against him.

Harvey Weinstein was clearly guilty way before his trial and that was just a formality. Also, Jimmy Savile was never tried for his crimes but there’s little doubt that he committed them.

CleverCatty · 30/04/2021 15:44

@nobucketlist

I can also confirm the 'Patrick Stewart is lovely' news. Completely lights up a room and makes everyone feel special.
I saw the Patrick Stewart handing James Corden's arse to him on a plate at an awards ceremony and funnily enough my colleague who shares the same surname as Corden and used to live near him says she's seen him out and about (and introduced herself to him) and says he has a well known reputation as a bit of an arse.

Noel Clarke - he looks a bit - I dunno - off but what do I know?

DBro is filming with Steve Coogan soon - will have to get goss on him.

catmandont · 30/04/2021 15:47

I saw an interview with an actress from Viewpoint this week, Catherine Tyldsley I think, who said she'd lived on lettuce for a week as she was filming 3 sex scenes, then when she saw the final cut they weren't there, just one pretty tame one (if I remember, it was very quick, fully clothed on a sofa).

Thinking about that gave me the creeps today. Does he routinely write/film sex scenes he has no intention of using? 🤬

CleverCatty · 30/04/2021 15:50

@catmandont

I saw an interview with an actress from Viewpoint this week, Catherine Tyldsley I think, who said she'd lived on lettuce for a week as she was filming 3 sex scenes, then when she saw the final cut they weren't there, just one pretty tame one (if I remember, it was very quick, fully clothed on a sofa).

Thinking about that gave me the creeps today. Does he routinely write/film sex scenes he has no intention of using? 🤬

Catherine Tyldsley isn't the Welsh actress is she? oh no that's Alexandra Roach.

Funnily enough I watched some of Viewpoint (on in the background this week) and I got a bit of a strange vibe off it so didn't watch closely.

TokyoSushi · 30/04/2021 15:50

Sounds utterly grim but I'm hardly ever surprised at these anymore.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 30/04/2021 15:51

@Jaxhog

What concerns me is that he's been condemned and punished before being convicted.
Which parts?

As an ex teacher I could have been suspended and sent home under an order of silence. I could not have had contact with anyone I worked with and wouldn't have had the names of my accusers, or details of the accusations.

For safegurading reaosns I would have been treated as though the allegations were true. That would protect me against any allegations of trying to influence anyone but would also make me look guilty.

NC knows the allegations and probably the identity of some of his accusers. They deserve safeguarding and, flawed as this is, that is what is happening. He has been removed from his work environment and will remain so until any investigation is concluded.

What else do you want to happen? Teachers get that treatment but actors don't? What about judges, postwo/men, litter pickers?

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/04/2021 15:51

I saw the Patrick Stewart handing James Corden's arse to him on a plate at an awards ceremony

I love seeing this. Same as when Tony Benn gave Ali G shit for his sexist crap. Men who will actually stand up.

Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree · 30/04/2021 15:53

I never liked him (like a few other posters on here), now I know why. Something was always off with him.

EsmaCannonball · 30/04/2021 15:54

@Mollyollydolly

All this makes me like Christopher Eccleston even more.
Didn't Christopher Eccleston claim there was toxic behaviour on the Doctor Who set?
Pinkearedcow · 30/04/2021 15:55

@Jaxhog

What concerns me is that he's been condemned and punished before being convicted.
Have you read the article Jaxhog?
HumousWhereTheHeartIs · 30/04/2021 15:57

I have heard rumours about Noel Clarke for years just like rumours I heard about Kevin Spacey. I work in the media...and had a similar experience to the microphone penis video of Noel Clarke that is doing the rounds. It involved someone allegations were made about years ago. When I asked him to stop, he told everyone I had no sense of humour and was a boring, fat cow.
I would be gutted to hear anything about Chris O'Dowd since he is lovely. David tenant is one of the nicest people I have met in this industry.

poppycat10 · 30/04/2021 15:57

@ChloeCrocodile

What concerns me is that he's been condemned and punished before being convicted.

I'm a teacher. If I were accused by multiple children of sexual abuse should I continue to work unless / until a criminal case could proceed? Or should I be prevented from continuing in the position of power I am accused of abusing until the courts are done?

You'd be suspended on full pay until the trial, and your headteacher would make a decision following that. In a few cases an acquittal would lead to reinstatement (it happened to a local teacher where I live a few years ago) but in most cases even an acquittal would lead to the teacher losing their job due to the lower burden of proof outside criminal proceedings, parents (and staff) thinking "no smoke without fire" etc.

However, in the case I am thinking of, one child had made allegations that were dismissed in court. 20 women is somewhat different.

UppityPuppity · 30/04/2021 15:59

I saw the Patrick Stewart handing James Corden's arse to him on a plate at an awards ceremony and funnily enough my colleague who shares the same surname as Corden and used to live near him says she's seen him out and about (and introduced herself to him) and says he has a well known reputation as a bit of an arse.

I’m confused - who of the two has the reputation for being a bit of an arse? Please don’t let it be PS

poppycat10 · 30/04/2021 15:59

Didn't Christopher Eccleston claim there was toxic behaviour on the Doctor Who set

He did. And although I have always had the feeling that David Tennant was a thoroughly nice bloke, he worked with NC for several years on Dr Who. Can he really have seen nothing of concern? It makes you wonder.

owlpicture · 30/04/2021 16:01

@Jaxhog

What concerns me is that he's been condemned and punished before being convicted.
What concerns me is your naivety
whippitwoowoo · 30/04/2021 16:02

I’m on a few counselling fb pages, one particular one has asked for counsellors with SA and trauma training to make themselves known. They are looking to get support for these women in the NC case.
I’d says there’s much more than 20 victims for this call out to happen.

Stormer · 30/04/2021 16:03

@MrsTerryPratchett

I saw the Patrick Stewart handing James Corden's arse to him on a plate at an awards ceremony

I love seeing this. Same as when Tony Benn gave Ali G shit for his sexist crap. Men who will actually stand up.

For the sake of clarity & accuracy, IIRC Patrick Stewart having a go at James Corden wasn't anything to do with any sexist behaviour (I don't believe there'd been any) but about JC being slobbish and lazy whilst presenting.

I'm sure Patrick Stewart is lovely, however I have always been put off by him having a 39-age gap with a younger actress live-in girlfriend followed by a 38-age gap with his next wife. Not at all to be conflated with the (alleged) abuse talked about here by Noel Clarke, but creepy and unsavoury IMO when it's a pattern rather than a one-off.

WhatyoutalkingaboutWillis · 30/04/2021 16:04

Apparently all over the TWAW and hates TERFs. He threw his first BAFTA award away at the Stonewall riots!

TheLODstinkyunderpassAKATits · 30/04/2021 16:04

@catmandont

I saw an interview with an actress from Viewpoint this week, Catherine Tyldsley I think, who said she'd lived on lettuce for a week as she was filming 3 sex scenes, then when she saw the final cut they weren't there, just one pretty tame one (if I remember, it was very quick, fully clothed on a sofa).

Thinking about that gave me the creeps today. Does he routinely write/film sex scenes he has no intention of using? 🤬

That's disturbing and rings somewhat true with a few things in the article. Grim.