Award-winning comic actor Chris Langham appeared in court today charged with nine child sex offences and 15 counts of making indecent images of children.
The 57-year-old, from Cranbrook, Kent, who wore a pink shirt and black suit, sat at the back of Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court for the brief hearing with his hands clasped in front of him.
He spoke to confirm his name, age and address and that he understood the proceedings.
Mr Langham, who appears in the hit BBC political satire The Thick Of It, was charged yesterday with eight counts of indecent assault and one other sex offence.
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It is believed that all the alleged nine sex offences relate to one individual.
He was charged with 15 counts of making indecent images of children four months ago.
Mr Langham was released on conditional bail to appear at Maidstone Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on October 6 in relation to the nine latest charges.
Chairman of the bench Robert Gill told him the conditions were that he must not contact three people directly or indirectly and that he must have no unsupervised access to any person under 16.
Mr Langham was released on unconditional bail in relation to the other 15 counts to appear at the same Kent court on October 2 at 2pm for a committal hearing.
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The actor signed his bail notice before leaving court and being driven off in a waiting car.
Following yesterday’s charges, Mr Langham said in a statement that he was “determined to clear my name”.
Through the BBC he announced that he will withdraw from all BBC projects pending the outcome of the charges he faces.
The BBC have confirmed that Mr Langham would not be revisiting his role for the Christmas special of The Thick Of It. But the corporation said it was always the intention not to feature Mr Langham in the special episode.
The actor scooped the Best Comedy Performance award at the Baftas for his betrayal of bumbling minister Hugh Abbott, and last year won Best Television Comedy actor at the British Comedy Awards for the same role.
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The veteran performer also has writing credits for a number of programmes including the Muppet Show and political sketch show Bremner, Bird and Fortune and he co-wrote and starred in the Bafta-winning BBC2 series Help.