Eastenders star suspended after internet webcam sex romp

Shamed EastEnders actor Leslie Grantham has been suspended from the show for two months following revelations about his internet sex sessions, it was reported today.

The star famous for his role as “Dirty Den” Watts met with BBC bosses yesterday to discuss his punishment.

According to reports the actor’s salary will be slashed during the suspension period.

Grantham was said to have been facing the sack after it emerged he had bad-mouthed other EastEnders stars to his internet sex partner.

But the 57-year-old apologised to BBC bosses during the private meeting which resulted in his suspension.

A television source told The Sun: “It was a very serious and sombre meeting, more like an industrial tribunal.

“Leslie knew he was going to be punished. But he is just lucky that he was allowed to keep his job.

“He was told in no uncertain terms that he had shamed the show and made a fool of himself. He had made the cast members a laughing stock and embarrassed them.”

A BBC spokesman said: “A disciplinary meeting did take place but we won’t be commenting on it further because it is an internal matter.”

It is not known when the actor’s suspension will take effect.

Grantham issued a grovelling apology earlier this month after his internet webcam sex activities went public. The actor described his actions as “a moment’s stupidity” for which he was “wholeheartedly ashamed”.

A married father of three, Grantham was said to have described sexual fantasies before exposing himself in front of the webcam in his BBC dressing room.

During his internet chats with a 23-year-old blonde known as Amanda, the actor reportedly 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”.

Grantham said in a statement that he intended to make a donation to charity as a sign of his remorse.

The BBC said at the time it had accepted the star’s apology.