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Lead Actor Made TV Show Fire His Mistress Costar

[Pop Bitch] We’ve all been wincing at how Hollywood works this week, but it’s really not so different here in the UK.

An injunction was taken out in 2011 by the star of a massive hit British TV show. He was having an affair with one of his female co-stars, but when his wife found out about it all he threw his co-star under the bus. He told producers that he didn’t want to work with her any more.

The TV company sacked her, and then he applied for an injunction to ban anyone in the media from reporting it.

And guess what? The British courts granted it.

According to the judge, “the reasons for her leaving give rise to no debate of general interest”. Maybe in the wake of all these Weinstein allegations someone would like to revisit that particular judgement?

BG Note: Here is the background of the case. You can read more about the case here.

The background

In about November 2009 the appellant, who is a married man, began a sexual relationship with another woman whom I shall simply call “X”, who is herself married. The source of the News of the World’s information suggests that this relationship became obvious to those with whom the appellant and X were working. Towards the end of April 2010 the appellant’s wife confronted him with her belief, formed either intuitively, or from information conveyed to her, that he was having an affair. He admitted it. This was deeply distressing for the wife but she and her husband determined, not least for the sake of their two teenage children, to rebuild her trust and their marriage. To that end the appellant accepted that he would end his sexual relationship with X and he so informed her.

Continuing their working relationship was obviously awkward and in discussion with his employers, the appellant told them that he would prefer in an ideal world not to have to see her at all and that one or other should leave but both accepted that their working commitments did not then make that possible. They agreed to conduct themselves with due decorum and to continue to perform their duties in a professional way as in fact they did.

In December 2010 their employers informed X that her services would no longer be required, explaining publicly that it was a convenient moment to make this change. She was, understandably, upset and angry and may even have threatened to take proceedings against the employer. The appellant only became aware of her departure whilst he was on holiday with his family over Christmas.

News of these events leaked to the News of the World whose enquiries alerted the appellant to its wish to publish the fact of the affair and that the affair was the real cause of X leaving her employment. He moved accordingly for this injunction, supported not only by his wife, but also by X.

TV Show:

Actor/Married Man:

Actress/X/Married Woman:

[Optional] Do you like or dislike the British system of hiding the names of celebrities involved in legal cases?

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • jj the great says

      LOL Do you mean you think it’s people from the cast of the show? Or that their behavior reminds you of people on the show? ;D hahaha Genuinely not sure!

  3. kernowkween says

    Hugh Bonneville and Downton Abbey?
    He has previous for extramarital relations. Not sure who the mistress would be, never watched the series.

  4. Helobar says

    Shameless.
    David Threlfall.
    Pauline McLynn.

    I find it annoying when people take out injunctions because I’m really nosy, but I can understand why they do it. Although, the press obviously hate it and report each time one is granted and drop enough hints to ensure that everyone speculates like mad and eventually knows who it is anyway!

  6. sallylalala says

    This is the man who plays Frank in Shameless and Mrs Doyle from Father Ted. Which is neither exciting nor glamorous.

  10. foxxyminxx says

    Shameless UK version
    Frank Gallagher -David Threfall
    Pauline Mclynn – Libby
    It’s normally pointless truth normally gets out.

  12. NoYoureatowel says

    I dislike super injunctions immensely.
    Dont know who it is for sure but i think, Actor. Phillip Glenister
    Actress. Keeley Hawes
    Show. Ashes to Ashes

    ??

    • rhiannon14 says

      I believe the first season of Downton started shooting in early 2010. Jessica Brown Findlay left in the middle of shooting the 3rd season, in 2012. Hugh has only one child. This is not Hugh.

  15. RayneQueen says

    This is David Threlfall of Shameless. Co-star was Pauline McLynn, who played his girlfriend.

  16. CanaryCry says

    Don’t know who the players are in the situation here. It’s still a shame both women had to suffer.

    I do think the UK is a little too soft on punishing any guilty party … but, after all, it is a part of Europe where people have a relaxed sense of morality. I can only wonder how much that continent as a whole is laughing at us once again – or just shrugging off the matter of another entitled satyr who was “only human” & just “made mistakes”.

    • Hearty says

      I take great offence at your words that
      ‘but, after all, it is a part of Europe where people have a relaxed sense of morality.’
      I am British and have morales, shall I comment and generalise on your part of the country? No because I have morals and decency, so please refrain from generalising people from the UK. Thank you.

  17. meemee says

    Shameless (uk version). Frank Gallagher character, the woman was Mrs Doyle from father ted. Sorry haven’t bothered to search names!

    This was pretty well known at the time despite the injunction. Most of them get out.