Actor pulls out of visit
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by Chris Hunter
chunter@thekmgroup.co.uk
Actor Chris Langham says he’s delighted to be working again,
despite having to pull out of a planned school appearance to
promote his film.
The former star of BBC sitcom The Thick of It, who lives in Golford
near Cranbrook, was due to appear at a screening of his new film
followed by a question and answer session at Tonbridge School on
March 15, but decided to withdraw after a parent raised concerns
about his appearance.
Mr Langham spent three months in jail in 2007 for down-loading
images of child abuse.
The BAFTA-nominated comedy Black Pond is his first project since
his release.
Speaking to the Kent Messenger he said: “The school was contacted
by one parent, that’s my understanding. Then presumably that parent
went to the press.
“I voluntarily came out of a Q&A session. We do these sessions
all over the country and I’ve decided to pull out of one.”
The Tonbridge event is part of an ongoing tour during which Langham
has appeared at venues around the country alongside directors Will
Sharpe and Tom Kingsley.
“I agreed to publicise their film,” he added. “I’m delighted to do
it because they’re two incredibly gifted young men and it’s a
pleasure to see people enjoy the fruits of their labours.
“It’s lovely to be working again.”
A statement from Tonbridge School said Langham had withdrawn
voluntarily, but that the school was only aware of concerns from
one parent, who complained to a newspaper.
The headmaster had received “only messages of support from the
Tonbridge community including parents.”
Defending Langham’s planned visit, the statement went on to say the
school worked with the Multi Agency Public Protection Team in Kent,
who confirmed that a 2007 assessment that no restrictions should be
placed on Langham with regard to unsupervised access to children
under 16, was still valid.
Thursday, February 09 2012
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