Chris Langham, the actor facing child pornography charges, has won the best
comedy actor award at the Monte Carlo TV awards for his role in The Thick Of It,
a political satire.
Naturally, this is going to place the press (including us) into somewhat
murky waters. Do we attempt to keep the difference between private life and
public work clear, praising the success of his career whilst deploring his
possible impending imprisonment? Or do we go down the knee-jerk reaction of
lambasting the taste and judgement of any panel of judges that award someone
facing these charges a highly-sought-after award?
Personally, I maintain that "innocent until proven guilty" should hold sway,
and that we should praise a British actor for his success on the international
stage. You are, of course, free to make your own decision.
Other British successes on the night included Ashley Jensen winning best
comedy actress for Extras.
Desperate Housewives won best comedy series.
