Ricky Gervais has said that he has been left "shocked and appalled" after 11 women came forward to make serious allegations against his long-time collaborator Charlie Hanson.
The allegations against Hanson, 68, are carried in The Times, with one of the women claiming that they had sex to which she did not consent.
In a 5,000-word joint email to Netflix - for whom Hanson works as a producer on After Life - and BAFTA, the women wrote: "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."
BAFTA, which recently suspended the actor Noel Clarke over misconduct allegations, has now done likewise with Hanson, while Netflix has removed him from his role on After Life, which is currently filming its third and final season.
A statement from Hanson's lawyer said: "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."
In his own statement, Hanson said: "I have been made aware of allegations made against me concerning improper conduct towards women dating back many years.
"Based on the summaries that have been provided to me, I understand that many of these accusations are made anonymously and are demonstrably false. I have not had one complaint in decades of work in the media industry.
"I categorically reject any wrongdoing on my part, and strongly refute the allegations that have been levelled at me.
"I have worked with and supported hundreds of men and women during my working life and will do what is necessary to protect and/or restore my reputation. I will also cooperate with any formal inquiries. The matter is now in the hands of my solicitors."
Gervais has worked with Hanson for over 15 years on almost all of his TV projects, including Extras, Derek and Life's Too Short, as well as the movies Cemetery Junction and David Brent: Life On The Road.
"I am shocked and appalled to learn of the historical allegations made by a number of women against Charlie Hanson," he said.
"The decision was made to immediately remove him from production and I am confident the matter is being handled thoroughly."
Hanson's other TV credits include Desmond's, The Armstrong and Miller Show, Chef! and Birds of a Feather.
Neil Wilkes
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