Dirty Den apologises for internet shame

Shamed EastEnders star Leslie Grantham issued a grovelling apology today after he was caught taking part in internet sex sessions.

Grantham, who plays Dirty Den, described his actions as “a moment’s stupidity” for which he was “wholeheartedly ashamed”.

And he made a special apology to his co-stars after their names were dragged into the “deplorable” incident.

During his internet chats with a 23-year-old blonde called Amanda, the actor is said to have branded Jessie Wallace a “vile dog”, Shane Richie “big-headed and self-infatuated”, Kim Medcalf “a block of wood… thick” and Wendy Richard a “w***er”.

In a statement issued through the BBC, Grantham said: “I would like to unreservedly apologise to the cast and crew of EastEnders and the BBC for the embarrassment that has been caused by recent newspaper allegations.

“I would like to also say sorry and pay personal tribute to Kim Medcalf, Wendy Richard, Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace in particular, who have been caught up in the results of my deplorable actions.

“I very much regret that a moment’s stupidity has cast a shadow over what I consider one of Britain’s best shows of which I’m thoroughly proud to be a part.

“I am wholeheartedly ashamed of my behaviour and feel that I have let down my colleagues, as well as my friends and family.”

Father-of-three Grantham added: “In some small recompense I intend to make a donation to charity as a mark of my apology.

“Now I’d like some time to show my family the love and support they have shown me over the last few days.”

The 57-year-old actor’s wife Jane has put on a very public show of affection, kissing her husband on the doorstep of their home as he left for work yesterday.

The BBC has accepted Grantham’s apology.

A spokesman said: “Anything that exposes the programme to embarrassment and any abuse of BBC resources is taken very seriously by the BBC.

“However we do appreciate Leslie’s sincere expression of regret and his decision to make a contribution to charity.

“We do not intend to make any further public statements about this matter.”

While BBC bosses are said to be furious at Grantham’s behaviour, they do not plan to take any further action against him.

The People newspaper claimed that Grantham, a married father of three, struck up an internet relationship with a 23-year-old woman, known only as Amanda.

The actor was said to have described sexual fantasies before exposing himself in front of the webcam in his BBC dressing room.

It was also reported that Grantham sent sexually explicit messages by email.

Grantham has spent the past two days filming the soap at the BBC studios in Elstree, Herts, where the atmosphere between him and his co-stars is said to be “as cold as Siberia”.

More than 17 million people watched Dirty Den’s return to EastEnders last year after a 14-year absence.

EastEnders chiefs had tried for years to bring back Den, who was apparently shot dead in February 1989 by a gangland hitman.

It was thought the Queen Vic landlord had gone to a watery grave in Walford canal but he actually had a new life in Spain.

He and wife Angie were the most popular double act in the history of the show. More than 30 million viewers tuned in to the Christmas Day episode in 1986 when he presented her with divorce papers.