Ben Freeman axed from 'Emmerdale'

[Abigail]

From DS

Ben Freeman has been told that his Emmerdale contract will not be renewed.

The actor, who played mechanic Scott Windsor, has been on a leave of absence from the soap since being charged with rape in Barbados in December last year.

An ITV spokesman told the News of the World: "We cannot be sure of Ben's availability for work, so we cannot renew his contract. It is due to the uncertainty of the process of law and the lead times in writing a character in and out of a soap."

Freeman said: "I am focusing on the legal proceedings in Barbados and look forward to speaking to ITV once this situation is behind me."

A TV source added: "This was the bad news Ben desperately didn't want."

[Perdita]

Most people will have forgotten about him as he has been away for so long now, no problem writing him out for good then. Hope they don´t kill him off though, in case he can come back one day. His character never did anything for me but he is good looking.

[Chris_2k11]

Where is he actually supposed to be in the show?

[Chloe O'brien]

I think he went into Hotten to buy some spare parts for a car

[Chris_2k11]

I think he went into Hotten to buy some spare parts for a car

those queues ey!?

[Abbie]

I think he went into Hotten to buy some spare parts for a car

haha seriously!!!!
Well I have forgotten about him

[Perdita]

Ben Freeman has appeared in court in Barbados after being accused of raping a 16-year-old girl.

The former Emmerdale star is alleged to have forced the girl to have sex with him against her will by a hotel pool in November 2006.

Director of Public Prosecutions Charles Leacock outlined to the jury what he believes took place.

"They were in the smaller pool swimming when the complainant says the accused made advances by kissing her on the lips," he said

"She will tell you she protested his advances. He then lifted her out of the pool and placed her in one of the lounge chairs around the pool.

"He proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her without her consent... She will tell you she protested and she cried and begged him not to."

Freeman, who played Scott Windsor in the ITV soap, denies the charges.

The trial continues.

[tammyy2j]

Where is Scott?

Surely they could recast the role again?

He should have returned for Viv's troubles

[Perdita]

Where is Scott?

Surely they could recast the role again?

He should have returned for Viv's troubles

Scott left the village to stay with an old army mate down in London and phoned Debbie one day to say he was not coming back and that the house was put up for sale. So he could come back I suppose.

[Bad Wolf]

Emmerdale actor Ben Freeman has been cleared of rape in Barbados.

The 28-year-old had been accused of forcing himself onto a 16-year-old girl at an exclusive resort in the country in December 2006.

A 'not guilty' verdict was delivered after 90 minutes of deliberation at the High Court in Bridgetown.

"I'm grateful to be vindicated by the jury's verdict and am looking forward to spending time with my family and close friends who have been enormously supportive to me over the past two years," said the actor outside court.

Freeman was axed from the ITV1 soap earlier this year due to the uncertainty of his future availability.