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| Actor Damian Lewis 'too privileged' for school event | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Damian Lewis has hit back at critics who claimed he was too privileged to take part in his local comprehensive school's 50th anniversary celebrations. | Damian Lewis has hit back at critics who claimed he was too privileged to take part in his local comprehensive school's 50th anniversary celebrations. |
| The Eton-educated actor told the event people who had complained were "missing the point" as the evening was "a celebration of our community... and the role the school has played here". | The Eton-educated actor told the event people who had complained were "missing the point" as the evening was "a celebration of our community... and the role the school has played here". |
| Alumni from Acland Burghley School in north London had signed a petition against the Homeland star's appearance. | Alumni from Acland Burghley School in north London had signed a petition against the Homeland star's appearance. |
| The actor lives near the Camden school. | The actor lives near the Camden school. |
| More on this story and other news from London | More on this story and other news from London |
| The petition said: "Damian Lewis was educated at Eton, a school that, more than any other, represents the reproduction of privilege and inequality in the UK." | The petition said: "Damian Lewis was educated at Eton, a school that, more than any other, represents the reproduction of privilege and inequality in the UK." |
| Lewis told the audience of about 450 "there is more creativity, independence and support in this neighbourhood than any other... I have lived in." | Lewis told the audience of about 450 "there is more creativity, independence and support in this neighbourhood than any other... I have lived in." |
| He praised the school for teaching such "qualities", calling it "a beacon of curiosity, independence, creativity and diversity". | He praised the school for teaching such "qualities", calling it "a beacon of curiosity, independence, creativity and diversity". |
| The woman who began the petition, which garnered 100 signatures, said she had not meant it as a personal attack against Lewis. | The woman who began the petition, which garnered 100 signatures, said she had not meant it as a personal attack against Lewis. |
| "It's really just about how do you celebrate the anniversary of a really good comprehensive school that has always taken a very radical and socially progressive attitude towards education," Rachel Cohen said. | "It's really just about how do you celebrate the anniversary of a really good comprehensive school that has always taken a very radical and socially progressive attitude towards education," Rachel Cohen said. |
| On the petition the City University sociology lecturer had written that the Wolf Hall actor was "a wholly inappropriate choice" for a celebration at a comprehensive school. | On the petition the City University sociology lecturer had written that the Wolf Hall actor was "a wholly inappropriate choice" for a celebration at a comprehensive school. |
| Many of those who were there cheered his appearance, calling Lewis an "inspiration". | Many of those who were there cheered his appearance, calling Lewis an "inspiration". |
| Headteacher Nicholas John said it was "great" he was an actor who wanted to be "involved in the community". | Headteacher Nicholas John said it was "great" he was an actor who wanted to be "involved in the community". |
| The event featured a laser show which Lewis began the countdown for. | The event featured a laser show which Lewis began the countdown for. |
| Other alumnus from the school include singer Ms Dynamite and Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson. | Other alumnus from the school include singer Ms Dynamite and Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson. |
| Damian Lewis profile | Damian Lewis profile |