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French actor Gerard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women – and handed an 18-month suspended sentence.

Depardieu, 76, was convicted by a court in Paris of groping the women during the filming of the 2021 movie Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters).

Both victims had been working on the film in behind-the-scenes roles.

Following his convictions, Depardieu was fined €29,040 (about £24,000) and the court requested that he is registered in the national sex offender database.

His lawyer Jeremie Assous said the star, who denied assault and did not attend Tuesday’s hearing, will appeal against the verdict.

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‘Depardieu protected by film industry for decades’

The two victims said they were scared to speak out at the time and were intimidated by Depardieu. “I was petrified”, said one of the women, a set designer named Amelie.

She told the court that Depardieu had trapped her between his legs as she tried to get past him in a corridor, and had then run his hands over her body. “He terrified me – he looked like a madman,” she said.

Plaintiff Amelie K reacts as she speaks to members of the media at the courthouse, as the court convicted French actor Gerard Depardieu of sexual assault of two women, which prosecutors said took place during the filming of "Les Volets Verts," in Paris, France, May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw
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Amelie, a set designer assaulted by Depardieu, speaks to reporters after the verdict. Pic: Reuters

Depardieu had denied the allegations, and had received support from many actors, directors and even at one point, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, who had previously described the actor as “the pride of France”.

However, his victims said that he attacked them – first using obscene, vulgar and explicit language towards the women before sexually assaulting them.

The court heard that the actor first used vulgar language to abuse them and then grabbed them and ran his hands over their bodies, making crude sexual advances towards them.

Gerard Depardieu arrivesfor his trial.
Pic Reuters
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Gerard Depardieu arriving for his trial in March. Pic: Reuters

‘The end of impunity’

Depardieu, who has appeared in more than 200 movies, claimed that he did not even know what sexual assault was.

But judge Thierry Donard said Depardieu’s explanation of events had been unconvincing and, at times, contradictory.

Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, the lawyer representing victim Amelie, told the court that Depardieu had specifically targeted women who did not enjoy a high profile, saying he would never treat a famous actor the way he behaved towards his two victims.

“He is strong with the weak, and weak with the strong,” she said.

Following the verdict, she told reporters: “It is the victory of two women, but it is the victory of all the women beyond this trial.

“Today we hope to see the end of impunity for an artist in the world of cinema.

“I think that with this decision, we can no longer say that he is not a sexual abuser. And today, as the Cannes Film Festival opens, I’d like the film world to spare a thought for Gerard Depardieu’s victims.”

From left, a plaintiff's lawyer Claude Vincent, lawyer Catherine Le Magueresse, victim Amelie , a plaintiff's lawyer Carine Durrieu Diebolt speak with the media outside a Paris court, after a verdict was delivered on accusations that French actor Gerard Depardieu sexually assaulted two women who were working on a film with him in 2021, in Paris, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
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Lawyer Carine Durrieu-Diebolt (right) represented Amelie (centre right). Pic: AP.

‘Women were put in danger’

During cross-examination, Depardieu admitted he had first denied ever touching Amelie, then said he grasped her hips to stop himself from falling over, and then claimed he had grabbed her to get her attention.

Amelie described his account as “obviously completely false” and said she had been mentally scarred by the encounter.

Read more from the trial:
What does the trial mean for #MeToo in France?
Inside the court during the Depardieu trial

Away from the court, Ms Diebolt told Sky News that, after years of being tolerated due to his fame, Depardieu was finally being held accountable for his actions.

“These women were put in danger,” she said. “This is about a line of offences that he committed over many years that were tolerated by the world of cinema because it was Gerard Depardieu.

“Because the financial benefits he brings to the industry are so substantial. He did make some excellent films, but all men are equal before the law.

“Nobody warned Amelie about Depardieu’s behaviour, so his words and actions came as a terrible surprise for her. She still has traumatic flashbacks.”

Rape allegation

Depardieu’s reputation is now in tatters, and there may be more allegations to come.

Ms Diebolt told Sky News that around 20 other women have said that they were attacked by the actor.

And we already know that Depardieu will stand trial again later this year, this time charged with raping the actress Charlotte Arnould.

Ms Arnould has accused Depardieu, a friend of her parents, of raping her at his mansion in Paris.

Actor Charlotte Arnould walks at the courthouse, as the trial of French actor Gerard Depardieu over accusations of sexual assault on two women, which prosecutors say took place during the filming of "Les Volets Verts", continues in Paris, France, March 27, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
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Charlotte Arnould has accused Depardieu of rape. File pic: Reuters

When she returned to the house to confront him, she alleges that he raped her once again. Depardieu denies both allegations. If he were to be found guilty, he would face a substantial prison sentence.

Depardieu’s sexual assault conviction is being seen as an important step forward for France’s growing MeToo movement, which he described as “a terror” during the proceedings.

Women demonstrate outside the palace of justice where actor Gerard Depardieu faces trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, Monday, March 24, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
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Women demonstrated outside the court in March. Pic: Aurelien Morissard/AP

Gerard Depardieu reacts, as he appears at the courthouse, as his trial for two sexual assaults allegedly committed on the set of the film "Les Volets Verts" continues, in Paris, France, March 25, 2025. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
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Gerard Depardieu reacted as he appeared at the courthouse in March. Pic: Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters

After a letter of support Depardieu received prior to the trial from prominent actors and directors, a separate group of around 600 artists wrote their own, condemning the culture of “impunity” and calling for the actor to be fully investigated.

‘Wall of silence’

Emmanuelle Dancourt, president of MeToo Media, told me: “Depardieu is a man with a lot of money around him.

“Everybody could see Depardieu talking badly to women, putting his hand in the wrong place on a woman’s body and saying things that are wrong.

“But Gerard Depardieu’s best friend is silence. In France, you have a wall of silence, and this means impunity. If you are a man with a lot of power and a lot of money, you can do whatever you want.”

In Cannes in 1997. Pic: Reuters
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The star pictured in Cannes in 1997, arguably at the height of his career. Pic: Reuters

Former French President Jacques Chirac awards Depardieu the Chevallier de la Legion d'Honneur at the Elysee Palace in 1996. Pic: Reuters
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Former French President Jacques Chirac awards Depardieu the Legion d’honneur at the Elysee Palace in 1996. Pic: Reuters

Depardieu’s popularity has declined as more and more claims emerged about his conduct.

A recent documentary about him featured footage, filmed in North Korea, of the actor making lewd comments as a young girl rode past on a horse.

When Mr Macron offered his support to Depardieu, denouncing what he called “a manhunt” against the star, another French actor, James Bond star Lea Seydoux, said the president’s words had given a “bad image” of France.

Depardieu was given Russian citizenship as a gift by Vladimir Putin.

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Jewish comedian says shows cancelled as Gaza in the spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe

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Jewish comedian says shows cancelled as Gaza in the spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe

The Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, is getting under way, and the conflict in Gaza seems to be feeding into what’s happening.

From shows cancelled to artists divided, it’s no joke.

Rachel Creeger has had a distressing start to her stand-up run.

Two weeks ago, out of the blue, she says the venue Whistle Binkies rang her and fellow Jewish comedian Philip Simon to cancel their slots.

rachel creeger
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Rachel Creeger says her Edinburgh shows have been cancelled by the venue

She told Sky News it’s come down to “what we bring to that venue by being ourselves”.

The pair were allegedly given three reasons for the cancellation.

One was linked to a “vigil for IDF soldiers” that she says the venue initially claimed had been held during her performance last year but, according to Creeger, later had to ad­mit hadn’t taken place.

More on Edinburgh

“That never happened,” she insists.

Rachel says she was told her previous performances there had resulted in the venue having to pay for graffiti to be removed from toilet doors every three days.

“Again, we didn’t see evidence of that at all,” she says.

“We’re not the ones writing it… but if it was bothering them and they worried it was bothering us, then maybe we’d have volunteered to help them – or to help clean it.”

She claims she was also told the venue was responding to staff concerns about their own safety should Creeger’s show go ahead.

“It’s a pub in Edinburgh, it’s a music venue, they themselves have bouncers most evenings… And perhaps they might say if there’s a concern about extra risk, we should do all we can to make our performers safe.”

‘More unites us than divides us’

Creeger says her show is in no way political.

“It’s based around the idea that a Jewish mother can answer any question, solve any problem… I will make it better for you, the audience gets to write a question and put it into a chicken soup pot… The reason I kind of love it is because by the end of it people leave feeling actually more unites us than divides us.

“We’re not the people making the trouble,” she adds.

“I’ve certainly never started a protest, I’ve never done graffiti, I’ve never caused harm anywhere; my show doesn’t do that, my show is lovely.”

As Britain’s only touring comedian who is also a practising Orthodox Jew, she says since the 7 October attack she and other Jewish comedians are experiencing a significant increase in antisemitism while performing.

“We’re not Israeli, we’re British Jews,” says Creeger.

“The situation there is horrendous and distressing and painful for people of any number of religions and races… To be kind of scapegoated with dog whistles around that is clearly very, very unpleasant.”

The Fringe Society has said its role is to provide support and advice to all participants at the festival “with a vision to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat”.

A spokesperson explained they don’t manage or programme venues and “we understand that the show cancellations have been a choice made by the venue”.

Whistle Binkies hasn’t responded to multiple requests for comment.

Police Scotland told Sky News it hasn’t “received any reports of concern” about Creeger’s show.

There are, of course, huge sensitivities when it comes to discussing what’s going on in the world right now.

American stand-up Zainab Johnson is making her Fringe debut this year.

While her show Toxically Optimistic is all about putting a positive spin on life’s challenges, she doesn’t shy away from tackling the serious stuff if it comes up.

Zainab Johnson
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Zainab Johnson says her show doesn’t shy away from tackling serious issues

‘Shows becoming serious is a part of life’

“If I’m doing a show and somebody wants to yell out Free Palestine, well let’s talk about it,” she tells Sky News.

“I am the comedian where, if the show has to become serious, it becomes serious. That’s a part of life, you know?”

Johnson adds: “I’m from the United States and they talk about free speech all the time, but then you find out free speech ain’t really free because the moment you say something that is contrary to what the majority feels or wants to be heard, then you can be penalised…

“But isn’t that the beauty of this festival? So many people just telling their story, whatever their story is.”

Read more from Sky News:
The carpenter sleeping rough
Huge rise in prison drone incidents
Third runway plans revealed

Comedian Andy Parsons has had a long-standing career in satire, appearing regularly on shows like BBC2’s Mock the Week.

While he has the likes of Elon Musk and Nigel Farage in his sights for his stand-up show, Please #@!$ Off to Mars, they’re not his only focus.

Andy Parsons says comedians 'should be able to talk about anything and find a way to get that to work, including Israel and Gaza'
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Andy Parsons says comedians ‘should be able to talk about anything’

He says stand-ups “should be able to talk about anything and find a way to get that to work, including Israel and Gaza”.

He explains jokingly: “I’ve got some stuff about Israel in the show and obviously it can work both ways. It can give you some publicity and obviously it can get you cancelled.”

Irish-Palestinian comedian Sami Abu Wardeh – a clown comic – is the only Palestinian doing a full run of a comedy show at this year’s Fringe. 

“My show is clowning, it’s storytelling, it’s even got a bit of stand-up and it’s heavily inspired by the comedian Dave Allen, who is one of my comedy heroes,” says Wardeh.

“It felt really important that I come and just exist in this space, as a Palestinian, and speak my words and have my voice heard. 

“I’ve used all of these skills to make a show that is about really what’s going on in this country and in the world at the moment.

sami abu wardeh
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Irish-Palestinian comedian Sami Abu Wardeh is the only Palestinian doing a full run at this year’s Fringe

“I think most people in this country are going to recognise that Britain is in a very dark place… and I’m hoping to reach those people and to give a voice to the dissatisfaction.”

‘Plans in place’ for disruption

He’s had to consider the possibility of protests and take steps to “make sure that the audience and myself are safe and secure”.

“We have plans in place to know how to deal with people who are disruptive,” he says. “And particularly anybody who wants to bring any kind of bigoted views into the room.”

As one of the very few Palestinians at the festival, Wardeh says it is “not only my duty” but “an honour to be here and to represent my people”.

He also feels it’s wrong that Rachel Creeger has had her venue cancelled.

“I sincerely support free speech and I think everyone should be able to get on the stage and say what they want, within reason obviously,” says Wardeh.

Rachel says she hopes to confirm a new venue for her show on social media in the coming days.

“We’ve thankfully had a number of venues approach us to say that they have space available, so I’m hopeful that I’ll get – if not a full – then at least part of the run for the show.”

Since arriving in Edinburgh she’s been overwhelmed by how many hugs of support she’s received.

“To have super high-profile comedians put their heads above the parapet to say ‘this is wrong’, it means so much…In a way the story is that someone’s done something very hurtful… But look at all the love, that’s amazing.”

Sami Abu Wardeh’s Palestine: Peace de Resistance is at the Pleasance Dome in Edinburgh until 24 August
Andy Parsons’ Please #@!$ Off to Mars is at Pleasance Courtyard’s Cabaret Bar until 10 August
Zainab Johnson: Toxically Optimistic is at Pleasance Courtyard until 24 August

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Flintoff praises NHS staff who treated him after crash, as doctor says his injuries were ‘among most complex’ he’s ever seen

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Flintoff praises NHS staff who treated him after crash, as doctor says his injuries were 'among most complex' he's ever seen

Andrew Flintoff has praised the “love and compassion” of “superhero” staff in a visit to the hospital that treated him after his crash.

The cricket legend was seriously injured during the incident on the Top Gear track in Surrey in December 2022.

He was airlifted to St George’s in Tooting, with a surgeon calling Flintoff’s injuries some of the most complex he’s seen.

“I just want to say a massive thank you to all the staff at St George’s,” Flintoff said, as he returned to the London hospital.

“I came here probably the lowest I’ve ever been, in need of help and the expertise, the love, the compassion they showed me was incredible.

“I’ll be eternally grateful – absolute superheroes.”

Flintoff with St George's Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Jahrad Haq. Pic: PA
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Maxillofacial surgeon Jahrad Haq said Flintoff’s case was very complex. Pic: PA

Jahrad Haq, a maxillofacial surgeon, said he knew immediately the case was something out of the ordinary.

More on Andrew ‘freddie’ Flintoff

“I was on call that day and received a phone call from the emergency department consultant,” said Mr Haq.

“A lot of injuries are managed at a more junior level before escalating, so I knew this one was serious.

“Of all the trauma cases I’ve seen in over 20 years, this was among the most complex.”

Flintoff with nurses Linda Holden (left) and Sonia Steer. Pic: PA
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The ex-cricketer with nurses Linda Holden (left) and Sonia Steer. Pic: PA

Flintoff was also pictured on his visit meeting lead dental nurse Linda Holden and principal orthodontic nurse Sonia Steer.

Shamim Umarji, who also treated the 47-year-old, said it was “wonderful to see Freddie again and his visit gave staff a real boost”.

“He spent a lot of time chatting to everyone and it meant a lot,” added the trauma and orthopaedic surgeon.

Read more from Sky News:
Dentist who poisoned wife’s protein shakes jailed for life
Record-breaking US baby born from oldest ever embryo

Flintoff previously described how he thought he had died in the accident – which saw him “pulled face-down on the runway” for about 50m under a three-wheel car.

The incident led to the BBC pulling the plug on Top Gear and it remains unclear if it will ever return.

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Brian Cox: Trump talking ‘b*******s’ on Scottish independence

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Brian Cox: Trump talking 'b*******s' on Scottish independence

Hollywood actor Brian Cox has told Sky News that Donald Trump is talking “bollocks” after suggesting there should be 50 or 75 years between Scottish independence referendums.

The US president said a country “can’t go through that too much” when questioned by reporters during his visit to Scotland this week.

The Emmy-winning star, who is an independence supporter, has hit back, branding him “that idiot in America”.

The 79-year-old told Sky News: “He’s talking bollocks. I’m sorry, but he does. It’s rubbish. Let’s get on with it and let’s get it [independence] done. We can do it.

“It’s been tough as there’s a great deal of undermining that has gone on.”

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Trump responds to Sky question on Israel

SNP fraud probe causing ‘harm’

Mr Cox said the police fraud investigation examining the SNP’s finances has done “enormous harm” to the party and wider independence movement.

More from Ents & Arts

Nicola Sturgeon was arrested as part of the long-running police probe but cleared of any wrongdoing earlier this year.

The former first minister’s estranged husband Peter Murrell, who was SNP chief executive for two decades, appeared in court in April to face a charge of alleged embezzlement. He has entered no plea.

Brian Cox is preparing to return to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade in a play about the Royal Bank of Scotland’s role in the 2008 financial crash.

Ahead of the Edinburgh festival performances, the veteran actor told Sky News: “I think it’s a masterpiece. It’s certainly one of the best pieces of work I’ve been involved in.

Brian Cox
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Brian Cox speaking to Sky’s Connor Gillies

‘My friend Spacey should be forgiven’

The Succession star was also asked about his “old friend” Kevin Spacey.

The former House of Cards actor, 65, was exiled from the showbiz world in 2017 after allegations of sexual misconduct.

Spacey has admitted to “being too handsy” in the past and “touching someone sexually” when he didn’t know they “didn’t want him to”.

Spacey stood trial in the UK for multiple sexual offences against four men in July 2023 but was acquitted on all counts.

Kevin Spacey outside Southwark Crown Court
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Kevin Spacey

Mr Cox told Sky News: “I am so against cancel culture. Kevin has made a lot of mistakes, but there is a sort of viciousness about it which is unwarranted.

“Everybody is stupid as everybody else. Everybody is capable of the same mistakes and the same sins as everybody else.”

Asked if he could see a return to showbiz for Spacey, Cox replied: “I would think so eventually, but it’s very tough for him.

“He was tricky, but he has learnt a big lesson. He should be allowed to go on because he is a very fine actor. I just think we should be forgiving.”

He concluded: “What is the joy you get out of kicking somebody in the balls when they are down? That is what I cannot stand.”

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