Judge rules Noel Clarke must pay £3m after losing libel fight over sexual misconduct reports

Actor Noel Clarke has been ordered to pay at least £3m to the Guardian’s publisher after a High Court judge dismissed his libel claim against the newspaper as “far-fetched” and “false”.

Clarke, once a rising star known for his roles in Doctor Who and Kidulthood, had taken Guardian News and Media (GNM) to court over a series of reports published in 2021. The articles detailed allegations from women in the film and television industry who accused him of sexual misconduct and abuse of power.

In August, the court found in favour of the Guardian, ruling that the allegations were “substantially true” and that publication was in the public interest. On Tuesday, the fallout intensified when Mrs Justice Steyn ordered Clarke to pay £3m within 28 days as an interim measure towards the paper’s estimated £6m legal costs.

The judge noted that the figure was actually conservative compared with what GNM was likely to recover in full, but she made clear that Clarke’s defence had crossed the line. “The claimant maintained a far-fetched and indeed a false case that the articles were not substantially true, by pursuing allegations of dishonesty and bad faith against almost all of the defendant’s truth witnesses,” she said.

Clarke, representing himself in court after his legal team resigned over lack of funding, appeared visibly emotional as he addressed the judge. “I have lost my work, my savings, my legal team, my ability to support my family and much of my health,” he said, holding back tears.

He insisted that he had not pursued the case maliciously but begged the court to consider his financial circumstances. “My wife and children live every day under the shadow of uncertainty. We remortgaged our home just to survive,” he told the court. “A crushing order would not just punish me, it would punish my children and wife, and they do not deserve that.”

Clarke argued that the Guardian’s legal costs were excessive and should be reduced. He also asked the court to delay enforcing payment while he pursued an appeal. Mrs Justice Steyn declined to halt the interim order, although she confirmed that the final sum would be subject to a detailed assessment if the two sides could not reach agreement.

Gavin Millar KC, representing GNM, had pressed for £3m to be paid immediately, noting that it represented only half of the estimated total bill. He pointed out that it was “significantly less” than the normal 75–80% interim payments sought in such cases.

The ruling marks another devastating blow to Clarke’s career. Once celebrated as a trailblazer in British film and television, he won a Bafta in 2009 and enjoyed a steady run of screen roles. But his reputation imploded after the Guardian’s 2021 investigation. Multiple women accused him of harassment, unwanted sexual contact and bullying behaviour, allegations he denied.

The High Court judgment, however, sided firmly with the Guardian. After a six-week trial, the judge concluded that the paper’s reporting was accurate and conducted in the public interest. The decision not only ended Clarke’s libel case but also reinforced the credibility of the women who had spoken out.

The consequences have been severe. Clarke has struggled to find work since the allegations emerged, with projects cancelled and professional relationships severed. His testimony in court revealed the personal toll: lost income, deteriorating health and deep strain on his family.

Despite the financial and reputational wreckage, Clarke told the court he hoped to continue fighting. “Any costs or interim payments must be proportionate to my means as a single household, not the unlimited resources of a major media conglomerate,” he said.

Whether his appeal will succeed remains uncertain. For now, Clarke faces a crippling £3m bill, public disgrace and the collapse of a career once celebrated in British entertainment.