TV

Dales actor steps down from 'Superstar'

Published Monday, Dec 11 2006, 22:41 GMT | By Kris Green
Dales actor steps down from 'Superstar'
Emmerdale actor Ben Freeman will not participate in ITV's Soapstar Superstar, it has been confirmed.

Freeman, 26, was recently granted bail after being charged with raping a 16-year-old girl while on holiday in Barbados. He has requested leave from the ITV soap as well as cancelling all bookings, including the soap singing contest.

An Emmerdale spokesperson told DS: "Ben Freeman has asked for leave of absence from Emmerdale to enable him to fight the legal proceedings he is facing in Barbados.

"We agree it would be best to rest his character from the show until the matter is resolved. At Ben’s request, he will stand down from all other engagements including Soapstar Superstar."

It has not yet been confirmed who will replace Freeman to sing in the lineup, which includes fellow Emmerdale actors Hayley Tamaddon (Delilah Dingle) and Matthew Wolfenden (David Metcalfe).

Soapstar Superstar begins Friday, January 5 at 9pm on ITV1.
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