Helpless?

Langham comedy 'put on hold'

A second series of the BBC Two comedy Help has reportedly been shelved because of the child pornography case facing star Chris Langham.

Production had been due to start in the next few weeks for the Bafta-winning show, in which Langham plays the psychiatrist to a range of Paul Whitehouse characters.

But TV industry journal Broadcast today reports that the show has been put on hold until the case has been settled.

An insider told the newspaper: ‘He is in a difficult position – so there is a question of whether he can be funny. It has been shelved until all this is sorted out.’

The BBC has declined to comment as the case is still before the courts. Proceedings have been adjourned until July 26.

The result of the case will also affect the Christmas special of BBC4 political satire The Thick of It.

It is not yet known whether Langham will return as embattled minister Hugh Abbot, but scriptwriters are said to be planning to switch the action from the government to the opposition party.

 

 

Published: 13 Jul 2006

Live comedy picks

We see you are using AdBlocker software. Chortle relies on advertisers to fund this website so it’s free for you, so we would ask that you disable it for this site. Our ads are non-intrusive and relevant. Help keep Chortle viable.