Doctor Who Actor Noel Clarke Detained Over Serious Sexual Offence Allegations
Prominent actor Noel Clarke, best known for his role in the iconic British series Doctor Who, has been arrested by Metropolitan Police officers on suspicion of attempted rape. The 50-year-old star was taken into custody and formally interviewed at Islington police station in north London this afternoon regarding the serious allegations.
Details of the Alleged Offences
The arrest specifically relates to an incident alleged to have occurred in London during 2007, involving a woman who was in her twenties at the time. Clarke faces accusations of attempted rape, exposure, and sexual assault by touching, with all charges connected to the same complainant.
During the same police interview, detectives also questioned Clarke about separate allegations of voyeurism. This relates to an incident said to have taken place in 2013, also involving a woman in her twenties at an address within the capital. The actor had previously been arrested in connection with this voyeurism allegation last September.
Background and Previous Legal Proceedings
Clarke's initial arrest occurred on September 25, 2025, when officers from the Metropolitan Police detained him at his home in Kensington. This followed the launch of a formal investigation by the Central Specialist Crime Command on September 1, shortly after Clarke lost a significant libel case against the Guardian newspaper.
In August of last year, a High Court judge ruled against Clarke in his legal action against the newspaper's reporting of various allegations concerning his behaviour. Mrs Justice Steyn determined that the Guardian's reporting was both truthful and served the public interest. As a result, Clarke was ordered to pay at least £3 million in legal costs, with the newspaper estimating its total bill at approximately £6 million.
Financial and Professional Consequences
The financial burden of the legal proceedings proved substantial for the actor. Clarke subsequently filed for bankruptcy and was officially declared bankrupt on December 11. Throughout the proceedings, he has consistently denied all claims made against him. His legal representatives have previously argued that the newspaper effectively acted as "judge, jury and executioner" regarding his professional career.
Career Highlights and Public Profile
Noel Clarke rose to national prominence through his portrayal of Mickey Smith in the revived Doctor Who series during the David Tennant era, appearing alongside Billie Piper as Rose Tyler between 2005 and 2010. Beyond his acting work, Clarke established himself as a multi-faceted creative professional, working extensively as a writer, producer, and director.
He gained further recognition for his involvement in the Kidulthood film trilogy, which explored contemporary youth culture in urban Britain. His career trajectory made him one of the more recognizable figures in British television and film during the 2000s and 2010s.
Current Status and Police Statement
Following his interview at the police station, Clarke has been released on bail pending further investigations. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson provided an official statement confirming the details: "A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, exposure and sexual assault by touching on Tuesday, 10 February. He was interviewed by detectives. This arrest relates to a sexual offence, which is alleged to have taken place in 2007 in London against a woman in her 20s."
The spokesperson continued: "The man was also interviewed in relation to a voyeurism allegation, for which he was previously arrested in September 2025. This relates to an offence allegedly committed in 2013 at an address in London against a woman in her 20s. The man was bailed pending further enquiries and the Met's investigation continues."
The Metropolitan Police have emphasized that their investigation into all allegations remains active and ongoing. No further details regarding potential court dates or additional charges have been released at this time.
