Ricky Gervais ‘shocked and appalled’ by sexual assault allegations against long-time collaborator Charlie Hanson

Ricky Gervais has made a statement slamming his long-time collaborator Charlie Hanson after sexual assault allegations were made against him.

The duo previously worked on numerous projects together, as Hanson produced two seasons of the BBC and HBO comedy Extras, as well as the film Cemetery Junction, starring Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.

He created the series Life’s Too Short with Gervais and Merchant, as well as Derek, which starred Gervais.

Hanson was also a producer on After Life but has since been dropped by Netflix once these allegations came to light.

An email seen by The Times contained allegations relating to 11 women, including alleged incidents of sexual assault.

The document stated: ‘Charlie Hanson is a predator who uses his reputation, connections and standing in order to groom far younger, impressionable and sometimes vulnerable women into trusting him.

‘At times he will promise them a starry career under his wing, and then exploits that trust in creepy and illegal ways.

‘He then tries to diminish the seriousness of what he’s done by telling these young women us that it wasn’t as bad as it seemed, that it was somehow blameless.

‘He does his best to convince himself and others that this method of operating is fine. But we know it is not fine.’

Gervais was quick to release a statement regarding the allegations.

He said: ‘I am shocked and appalled to learn of the historical allegations made by a number of women against Charlie Hanson. The decision was made to immediately remove him from production and I am confident the matter is being handled thoroughly.’

Hanson has spoken out to say that he refutes the claims and that he rejects ‘any wrongdoing on my part’.

His solicitor added: ‘Our client is shocked and appalled by these historical and false allegations of improper conduct towards women.

‘He maintains that he has never acted inappropriately on any production, or at all, and has never had any complaints made about his conduct over the course of many decades in the media industry.

‘Our client has worked with and supported hundreds of individuals, including countless women, and has never before heard any such allegations.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, our client denies any wrongdoing and will do whatever is required in order to restore any damage to his hard-earned professional and personal reputation. He is prepared to co-operate fully with any formal investigation.’

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