Emmerdale star takes 'leave' to fight rape case

TV star Ben Freeman will be rested from his role in Emmerdale after he was charged with raping a woman while on holiday in Barbados, a spokeswoman for the soap said.

The 26-year-old, who plays Scott Windsor in the ITV1 soap, was arrested and charged with the rape of a 16-year-old British woman by police on the Caribbean island on November 29.

• Emmerdale star returns to UK to await rape trial

An Emmerdale spokeswoman said Freeman, who has now returned to the UK on bail of £25,000, asked for a leave of absence from the soap to enable him to fight the legal proceedings against him in Barbados.

Freeman, of Leeds, West Yorkshire, will also stand down from all other engagements, including Soapstar Superstar.

An Emmerdale spokeswoman said: "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."